COVID-19: My personal experience of the pandemic

So I had been hysterical of my slight fever the other day to the point that I called COVID-19 response consultation to ease my stress and uncertainties. Thankfully enough, a reputable doctor answered all my doubts and queries about the things I need to know about this pandemic, and lo and behold, I felt an instant relief!

A lot of negative news of the pandemic has been circulating online that it causes us confusion. I can't even distinguish between fact and myth from the news - rising number of cases, unknown deaths of unknown people, ill fated stories, even home remedies and so called cure! So here are the things I think some of us should know (I'm not talking about the cure, honey)

Disclaimer: This is solely based on my conversation i had with my doctor from a consultation I had over the phone, I'm not stating advises and facts, there is also "no-one thing fits all" remedy in this pandemic as everyone has different approach. This was from my personal experience.

1. Coronavirus are a family of viruses that range from the common cold to MERS coronavirus known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome that killed thousands of people in Middle East. Since the infamous worldwide quarantine has been imposed, I was only going out to buy necessities. However, as we are having an ordeal to fight the virus and flatten the curve through staying at home, a lot of us are finding ways to go out. To be honest, I didn't took the virus seriously since I assume that I was young with no underlying conditions. I, too, was wrong. So when the day come that I had a slight increase on my temperature, I've immediately researched testimonials, home remedies and read articles about the virus. Fortunately, I recovered three days after but the whole dilemma opened my eyes - COVID 19 is real and we are not safe as long as there is no vaccine and cure, the doctor that I was talking to from an online consultation gave me advise, "we need to assume everyone has the virus as long as there is no cure, we are never safe". It hit me hard and realize that I have too take it very seriously as everyone does, one error could cause our life or other people's life.

'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.' The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold. - World Health Organization, 2020

2. If you only have mild symptoms and unsure if you catch a common flu or COVID. You need to self isolate yourself from others even with the people you are with inside your home. And most importantly, you need to remain calm and composed.

My mother was hysterical and constantly calling me when I told her I have fever. The worry and unnecessary stress, ladies and gents, isn't worth it if we only stayed at home. Out of her overthinking, she advised to immediately go to the near hospital for admission - and that was a wrong move! My doctor said, hospitals may not be safe as it could be a source of viruses. So, I only observed my symptoms and fever, and it went away on the third day.

3. Hospital Admission are mostly for people who are in critical condition composing 20 - 30% of total population of COVID - 19 positive. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, you may need self isolation but always be aware of your symptoms as reinfection could occur, symptoms may persist and unpredictable.

4. Always have a diary of your symptoms from day one. This will enable you to keep track and may come in handy when doctors asked you questions.

5. If you have difficulty in breathing, chest pain, may find yourself breathing unusual from your normal activities. You call ER immediately.

6. Doctor advised me to remain vigilant to buy PULS Oximiter This gadget used to measure the oxygen levels in your system, you may check yourself thrice or four times a day or whenever necessary. If the gadget shows a number anything below 90, it means your not getting a normal oxygen level in your body. This may be a result of your lung not functioning properly. Again, this is not for everyone, the advice was for me, i don't have illness and other illness could show the same result on the gadget.

7. RT-PCR Test has only 70% sensitivity to COVID 19. It means, 30% can be false positive, meaning results could show negative even if you have contracted the virus. The test is highly affected by human error, ineffective handling of specimen, delayed results, temperature and a lot of other factors.

5. RAPID TEST can't detect COVID - 19 but the anti bodies present in your system. If you have an existing infection inside your body, your antibodies number rise up. However, RAPID test cannot distinguish the cause of the antibodies rapid growth, antibodies grow in numbers also with common flu.

6. Only check information on reputable sites such as Center for Disease Control Society and World Heath Organization.