Alyssa Milano details debilitating coronavirus symptoms: ‘I thought I was dying’

Actress Alyssa Milano says she has tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, despite twice testing negative for the virus itself when she was sick.

On Wednesday, the “Charmed� alum shared her coronavirus story in a lengthy Instagram post detailing her myriad symptoms, which included a loss of smell, trouble breathing, drastic weight loss, “horrible� headaches and a low-grade fever. She was ill during the months of March and April.

“I had never been this kind of sick. Everything hurt,� Milano captioned a photo of herself wearing an oxygen mask. “I basically had every Covid symptom. At the very end of march I took two covid19 tests and both were negative. I also took a covid antibody test (the finger prick test) after I was feeling a bit better. NEGATIVE.�

Despite her initial test results, Milano said she suffered “lingering symptoms like, vertigo, stomach abnormalities, irregular periods, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, zero short term memory, and general malaise� for about four months before getting a blood draw — which came back positive for coronavirus antibodies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, a positive test result for antibodies “shows you may have antibodies from an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. However, there is a chance a positive result means that you have antibodies from an infection with a virus from the same family of viruses (called coronaviruses), such as the one that causes the common cold.�

“I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we don’t know the real numbers,� wrote Milano, who suspects she had COVID-19. “I also want you to know, this illness is not a hoax. I thought I was dying. It felt like I was dying. I will be donating my plasma with hopes that I might save a life. Please take care of yourselves.�

Earlier this week, Milano announced on Instagram that a reboot of the 1980s sitcom “Who’s the Boss� is in the works. In the original, Milano played Tony Danza’s onscreen daughter, Samantha Micelli, for eight seasons from 1984 to 1992.

“I’ve wanted to share this for so long and now I can!� she captioned the announcement, along with a crying emoji. “We feel the time is right to tell the story of where these amazing characters are today. Can’t wait to share their stories with you. So happy.�