Two-Time COVID-19 Survivor Ben Mauro Still Can’t Smell Six Months Later

Ben Mauro was in Valencia, Spain studying abroad when the coronavirus outbreak started to explode worldwide in the middle of March 2020. Mauro was forced to leave his study abroad program with a few days’ notice and fly back to the United States. During a layover in London, England, Mauro slept next to a man who was coughing like crazy. He speculates he contracted COVID-19 from him or some time on his journey home. Upon arrival into the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) required Mauro to quarantine for 14 days. Consequently, on his second day in quarantine, Mauro woke up with a sore throat, and then his COVID-19 symptoms worsened.

Her Campus (HC): How was your experience the first time having COVID-19?

Ben Mauro (BM): The first time I was sick was really bad. I had a 105ºF fever for a week straight and everything was spinning. It was extremely hard for me to breathe and for every three breaths it felt like one. My body ached; I didn’t get out of bed for two weeks basically. I could not stop coughing no matter what I did. I would cough so hard I would throw up. I felt so sick to the point where I was almost hospitalized.

HC: How was your testing experience the first time?

BM: The first time I got tested I waited in the car for six hours. Then, when it was finally my turn, they didn’t even test me. I was then forced to drive to another testing site and wait another two hours there. I finally got tested there and my test actually came out negative, but I got an antibody test two weeks later and it was positive. So, it happened to be a false negative. 

In August, Mauro left his home to attend school in Tallahassee, Florida. Despite having no symptoms, Mauro got tested with one of his roommates for precautionary measures. Mauro and his roommates’ tests came out positive. 

HC: How was your testing experience the second time?

BM: I got tested through Florida State University. I just got the test as a precaution and didn’t even think it would be positive. But the day I got the positive test back, I started showing symptoms.

HC: How was your experience having COVID-19 the second time? 

BM: The second time was a lot milder. I still had issues breathing and a mild cough, though. Luckily, I didn’t have a fever this time. But I lost my sense of smell and still, six months later, cannot smell.

HC: Have you experienced any long-term side effects after having COVID-19 twice?

BM: I’ve been experiencing the loss of my sense of smell and my cardiovascular health is not what it used to be. I get winded a lot easier now. 

HC: Are you worried about getting COVID-19 a third time?

BM: Yes, I’m scared the third time might cause more long-term effects and I might lose my taste or never get my sense of smell back. 

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• Coronavirus
• COVID-19
• experience
• FSU
• sickness
• smell
• study abroad