A Journey from Positive to Negative

A journey from Positive to Negative 

Corona, Covid 19, pandemic, quarantine, isolation all these words I had been hearing, reading in various social media however had never thought that I had to experience it personally. 

I stay at Dubai. Hygienically much better place than India and have very strict rules to fight covid 19. If one has to step out, then wearing face mask & gloves is must. To buy usual grocery I used to follow this rule strictly. And despite of this I got infected. How ? Still I have no clue. But I can recall how I started feeling unwell. 

It was 11th May night, I started feeling breathing problem. It was difficult for me to breath. By changing sides I got temporary relief and night passed but when I woke up and went to bathroom i was grasping for breath. Was holding the bathroom wall and opening mouth trying to take air. I went back to bedroom and rested. After resting felt good. Rest of the day was normal, whenever I had made moves or changed posture even while seating I had been grasping for breath. First two days I tried home remedies like taking steam. And parallaly checked with my family doctor in india, he said it's lung infection and what has caused can only be diagnosed after test and on safer side advised to do Covid 19 test. Meanwhile I took Amoclan BID 1g antibiotics. And breathing problem started getting into control. By 15th I was relatively better but any movement like walking, bathing was causing difficulty in breathing. On 13th had started antibiotics, on 15th I got the slot for test. I went and nose swab was taken. It was afternoon and had to walk a lot, and felt difficulties while breathing. That night continued antibiotics and also took pain killer. Miraculously next day breathing problem had reduced almost 50% I could take bath properly. By 18th I was 90% recovered, had only slight breathing problems. And on 19th was absolutely normal. Was very happy but on 20th got call from health authority that my result has came positive. 

From 12th afternoon onwards I had self quarantined myself. I was told I will be transferred to isolation Center. And on 23rd I was shifted to isolation center. For me luckily I had no symptoms since 19th. In isolation center they checked BP, Temperature & Oxygen Level. There are 5 symptoms Breathing Problem, Headache, Fever, Soar Throat & Cold if any of these are found there was medication available. To fight this very basic thing is to improve immune system. There was a dietician who asked about food allergies if any and type of food I eat. Hi Protein, Hi Cal food was recommended for me. For c vitamin they used to provide orange & green apple. Then there were two tests which both came negative. And I was discharged from center. 

Key take aways

1. If you have any of such symptoms immediately consult doctor and on safer side register for test. I was relatively better hence didn't went to emergency. 

2. B complex, C vitamin are very essential for your immune system, do consume either in food form or tablets. 

3. Eating healthy food is also essential. 

4. Most important self belief that I am going to be recovered is very very important. 

After discharge one week home quarantine is recommended. Although my discharge report doesn't say so but I am following it as additional precaution. 

Once out keep using gloves, face masks, sanitizers and social distancing. At the same time accept the people who have been discharged from hospitals, isolation centers. 

Stay safe, prayers for those who are affected that they recover soon. 

Swapnil Gupte

gupteswapnil@hotmail.com