Alyssa Milano reveals coronavirus battle: ‘I thought I was dying’

Charmed star Alyssa Milano has opened up about her terrifying four-month coronavirus battle – and warns virus testing is “flawed”.

Charmed actress Alyssa Milano thought she “was dying” after contracting coronavirus several months ago.

The star went public with her virus battle on social media overnight, posting a confronting photo of herself hooked up to an oxygen mask and detailing the terrifying symptoms she experienced as she battled the deadly virus, which has killed more than 700,000 people globally to date.

“This was me on April 2 after being sick for two weeks. I had never been this kind of sick,” the Who’s The Bos s star wrote.

“It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t keep food in me. I lost 9 pounds (4kg) in two weeks. I was confused. Low-grade fever. And the headaches were horrible.”

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Alyssa Milano’s had a rough four months.

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Bizarrely, despite displaying “every COVID symptom,” Milano said she tested negative for coronavirus twice during her ordeal, labelling the US testing system “flawed”.

“After living the last four months with lingering symptoms like vertigo, stomach abnormalities, irregular periods, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, zero short-term memory and general malaise, I went and got an antibody test from a blood draw (not the finger prick) from a lab. I am POSITIVE for COVID antibodies. I had COVID-19,” she revealed.

“I just want you to be aware that our testing system is flawed and we don’t know the real numbers. 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. Please wash your hands and wear a mask and social distance. I don’t want anyone to feel the way I felt. Be well. I love you all (well, maybe not the trolls. Just the kind people),” she wrote.

Milano’s celeb friends flooded the post with messages of support: “Oh babe. I’m sorry you were so sick but thank you for helping educate us. We need to learn more,” wrote Reese Witherspoon.

“I’m so glad you got better,” wrote Chelsea Handler.

Milano now plans to donate her plasma. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

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Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston last week revealed he’d recently battled coronavirus despite being “pretty strict in adhering to the protocols.” Now recovered, Cranston did what Milano plans to do, donating his plasma which now contains coronavirus antibodies.

“Yep. It sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it. I was one of the lucky ones. Mild symptoms. I count my blessings and urge you to keep wearing the damn mask, keep washing your hands and stay socially distant,” he wrote.

Milano and Cranston are the latest in a growing list of celebs to speak out about being diagnosed with coronavirus. Last month it was revealed that actor Mel Gibson was hit with coronavirus in April and spent a week in hospital.

Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson were two of the earliest A-list patients, both coming down with COVID-19 during an Australian visit in March.

Broadway actor Nick Cordero’s brutal coronavirus battle came to an end last month after more than 90 days in hospital. After losing a leg, being fitted with a pacemaker and suffering a lung infection, he sadly died at the age of 41.

And Pitch Perfect star Anna Camp revealed in July that she’s been diagnosed with coronavirus, despite being very careful.

“One time, when the world was starting to open up, I decided to forgo wearing my mask in public. One. Time. And I ended up getting it,” she wrote.