(CNN) A Democratic congressman with coronavirus is feeling sore, feverish and winded -- even from eating and drinking -- as he battles the disease that is spreading through the US and has infected thousands while killing more than 200 people.

"I am at home, feeling about as sick as I've ever been," Utah Rep. Ben McAdams told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Friday.

"It's really labored breathing, I feel like I have a belt around my chest that's really tight. When I cough, my muscles are so sore, so I just feel pain every time I cough, which is frequently," he added. "I feel short of breath and I have a fever of about 102."

McAdams said that he was also experiencing a loss of appetite -- an issue when he needs fluids and is easily winded.

"I don't have an appetite so I have to force myself to drink fluids, that's something they told me to do," he said. "But a lot of times when I eat or drink, I lose my breath again," as well as "when I get up and walk, if I go downstairs or walk around."

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