"It hits you really fast." News 12's John Craven shares details of his bout with coronavirus

News 12 reporter John Craven says he got the coronavirus a week and a half ago. It started with a sore throat and then he had trouble breathing and a high fever.

News 12 Staff

Mar 27, 2020, 9:15 PM

Updated 1,483 days ago

Share:

Craven says he got the coronavirus a week and a half ago. It started with a sore throat and then he had trouble breathing and a high fever.

"I really underestimated this," says Craven. "It hits you really fast, and that's the thing that really scared me."

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond 
MORE: TRACKER: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut coronavirus cases and deaths 

Craven says he woke Wednesday with a 98 degree temperature. Within four hours, it was up to almost 103. He ended up seeing a doctor at a walk-in clinic.
"He basically sent me home with Tylenol here and some Tamiflu, which broke the fever, but my breathing got even worse the next day," says Craven.

He says he went back and begged doctors to get tested. After he finally was tested, it took seven days to get the results.
undefined
Craven says he hopes by telling his story it might help others.

"We try to not be the story, but I really felt like there's so much fear around this virus that it was really important for me to at least tell people what my experience has been with it," says Craven. "And, you know, I guess if I can leave people with anything, it's don't be scared." 
PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world
undefined
Craven says the streets outside his Manhattan apartment look different since the coronavirus outbreak.

"My window faces 42nd Street, and you know that's one of the busiest streets in the world," he says. "It's empty now."

COMPLETE COVERAGE: Coronavirus stories from News 12 
GET INFORMATION: Coronavirus details from the CDC
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
GET THE FACTS: What you need to know about coronavirus
BY THE NUMBERS: The latest statistics from the CDC

Craven's advice to people is to "be persistent."

"No matter what your doctor tells you, I think your gut tells you when something's wrong," he says.

Craven expects to be fully back to work Wednesday, with his doctor's clearance.
 
 
 


More from News 12
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:17
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

2:00
Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

0:49
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

0:13
Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

0:23
West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

0:25
Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex