Neil Patrick Harris Initially Thought His COVID-19 Symptoms Were a Sign of the Flu
Neil Patrick Harris revealed he and his family were diagnosed with COVID-19 last spring.
The actor initially thought he had the flu, but he lost his senses of taste and smell and tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Neil said he has recovered and currently has coronavirus antibodies.
Neil Patrick Harris is opening up about his experience with the novel coronavirus. The 47-year-old actor revealed in an interview with Today that he and his family were diagnosed with COVID-19 back in the spring when the pandemic started to ramp up in the U.S.
“It happened very early, like late March, early April,” he said. “We were doing our best before, and I thought I had the flu, and I didn’t want to be paranoid about it. And then I lost my sense of taste and smell, which was a big indicator, so we holed up.”
Because the symptoms of the flu greatly overlap with those of COVID-19, it can be tricky to figure out which illness you’re dealing with—yes, even for doctors. Beyond a fever, cough, sore throat, and other respiratory symptoms, a lost sense of taste or smell is one of the few signs more strongly associated with COVID-19 at this point, experts say. That said, it does not occur in everyone who is infected with the virus.
Months after their diagnoses, Neil said he and his family are doing great. “It was not pleasant, but we got through it and have antibodies and are feeling good,” he told Today. “We want to make sure everyone’s doing their best to slow this down every way possible, for sure.”
In March, Neil shared a photo of his adopted twins Harper and Gideon, whom he shares with husband David Burtka, as they socially distanced at their farmhouse in Long Island, New York. “Staying in. Far preferred to going out,” he wrote in the caption.
Staying in. Far preferred to going out.
A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph) on Mar 14, 2020 at 8:15pm PDT
In July, Neil resumed shooting The Matrix 4 in Berlin, but took precautions. He told USA Today that Warner Bros. tested the actors and staff for COVID-19 and everyone has been respectful about wearing face masks.
Neil has also taken advantage of more time at home throughout the pandemic to pursue new creative endeavors, like releasing his new book, The Magic Misfits: The Fourth Suit, and working on an upcoming board game with Target.
“I think being isolated as much as we all are, you start wanting to develop your own interests and your own material as opposed to waiting for someone to call and say, ‘Do you want to join forces on this project?’” he told USA Today.
As the summer comes to a close, Neil is heading back to Germany to film more of The Matrix 4. We’re so glad he’s feeling better!
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