"I would have thought I could fight off this virus without much difficulty, but I have to say it really kicked my butt," Mr Houldsworth said.

"The main message I want to put out there is to remind people that this thing is, like, real, and that the directions we are getting about social distancing should be followed.

"I think we all have a social responsibility and, with the Easter long weekend here, I encourage everyone to make good decisions."

Mr Houldsworth said he also wanted people to know of the "exceptional" care he received at Sutherland Hospital, in Sydney's south.

He also praised the response by the federal and state governments on both health and economic fronts.

Mr Houldsworth has been living in his parents' home at Caringbah South since returning with his wife and two young daughters from the US, where the couple had been working, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison first advised Australians to come home.

His said deciding to return to Australia was an easy decision as a doctor friend told him New York hospitals were expecting a "horrendous" situation. Another medical contact had the same expectation, while a friend in Spain had told them he was "getting out".

Read More

Mr Houldsworth and his family arrived back in Sydney on March 19.

"The next night, Friday, the symptoms got me big time," he said.

"I was extremely jet lagged, but I was also getting sweaty and was a bit fatigued. I lay down for a while and, when I got up to get a drink of water, I collapsed.

"When I came to, I experienced breathing difficulty for five to 10 minutes.

"An ambulance was called and the operator told it could be covid-related, and so the paramedics came in full protective wear and took me to Sutherland Hospital.

"I was placed in isolation while they performed tests, including to make sure I didn't have a heart issue or blood clots from travel.

"The tests confirmed the whole episode was related to the virus.

"I spent two days getting the best medical attention. They monitored me closely, put multiple packs of fluids into me and I was drinking a lot as well.

"I continued to have difficulty breathing and I was super sweaty - like, clammy. I could feel my body fighting the virus and I think my general state of health got me through.

"Mentally, it was quite difficult because the medical professionals were saying, 'the next few days are critical - either you will get better or you will get worse'.

"Thankfully I improved and they allowed me to leave hospital and spend 14 days in isolation at home.

"My parents moved to the Quest Apartments at Cronulla and I confined myself to their bedroom with ensuite. My wife left meals at the door."

Mr Houldsworth said police checked on him twice during his 14 days in isolation.

"I think its important people know that, so they realise what they are being told is actually happening," he said.

If you're looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, sign up for our twice-daily digest here.