I am neither a Medical Doctor or a medical frontliner, nor a health care provider; but I am a Covid-19 survivor. Unlike my previous columns, this will not be a technical paper but a testimony based on my experience. I understand that our bodies are different from one another and effects of certain medications may differ accordingly. The purpose of this column is to encourage readers to plan, prepare and execute measures properly as a family to avoid the deadly effects of Covid-19. As Winston Churchill said, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.”
I experienced the difficulties of Covid-19 last 19 March 2020 for 5 weeks. I recall it as a punishing ordeal of alternating fever, cough and shortness of breath. It was extremely difficult because back then there was no guide on COVID-19 homecare. The only general guidance then was to strengthen our immune system thru intake of vitamin C, turmeric, and liquids, and not much else. So, while in isolation, I willed myself to conduct my own research to try to understand how to get better and to survive. I recovered around end April 2020 but it took months to fully recover from the side effects such as shortness of breath, loss of strength and focus.
More than a year has passed and with everything that happened in 2020 until today, it appears that everyone should now be ready and prepared for Covid-19. Yet, here we are asking ourselves, are we?
Moving forward to 2021 with the 2nd wave happening not only in the Philippines but all over the world, hospitals have reached full capacity and numerous Covid-19 patients are being turned away and are instead asked to undergo home quarantine. The scary thing about the 2nd wave is unlike the first wave, the strain afflicting Filipinos appears to be more contagious, affecting not only individuals but whole families. This 2nd wave continues to ravage us despite imposition of stricter quarantine restrictions.
Around March 2021, my sister experienced an onset of cough followed by fever. On her first day of symptoms, we immediately administered her with antibiotics and cough medicines. She eventually did 5 days of paracetamol, 12 days of antibiotics, vitamins and supplements. While my sister was recovering, my parents, both 80 years old, also got sick. Similarly, my parents underwent the same therapy as my sister’s. My parents and sister never went for swab test to confirm that they were positive for Covid-19 because in my opinion, it was already moot and our priority then was early treatment. For me, a swab test could possibly take days for the results to come in which in effect might delay the timely administration of medications.
Any delay may prove costly as what could have been a mere mild case could have progressed to a severe one.
From my own research I have come to learn that Covid-19, as a respiratory disease, attacks the respiratory tract including the lungs. A cough is a common symptom of viral respiratory infection and based on clinical observations, potentially a two-stage progression may happen, beginning with a mild to moderate form within days after the onset of the first symptom (HealthSite). Knowing that a cough is a sign of respiratory infection, I wouldn’t want my family to take the risk that Covid-19 might spread from mild to severe in the next few days. My decision was to start their therapy immediately. Luckily, after my family’s Covid-19 ordeal, everyone is now well and recovering.
Automated SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing by ECLIAA – COVID-19 antibody test, also known as a serology test, is a blood test that can detect if a person has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (FDA) All my family members on homecare had ECLIA tests and all of us have antibodies. In our case, infection might have progressed from mild to severe if we did not prepare for Covid as a family. The purpose of this column is not to challenge medical claims or advise. As I mentioned, this column is to share the importance of planning, preparation and execution for Covid in our homes. As my good friend Professor Edmund Tayao in his column said, “The battle against COVID-19 has gone to the household”, so should we prepare and avoid possible loss of life. Yes, Ivermectin was part of the therapy, and special thanks to Ms Mary Louise of JCI Manilena for supporting the “Covid wellness kits” advocacy. Hopefully, our National and Local government together with the private sector can promote “Covid wellness kits” to all families and employees as we brace ourselves incase a third wave of Covid will hit the Philippines.
Please find below our family Covid-19 wellness kit which we and a lot of friends have used and was able to survive homecare. Again, understand that our bodies are different and medicines react differently:
Paracetamol – 7 days for fever; 2) Zithromax for 5 days – this is a safe and effective antibiotic against pneumonia. Take Zithromax if there is dry cough, of course upon advise of doctor. Zithromax is available by doctor’s prescription so please have it ready in case needed. 3) Take Vit C with zinc and Vit D3 for 10 days to strengthen the immune system; 4) Thermometer – check temp every 4 hours to monitor fever; 5) Pulse oxymeter – check every 4 hours (oxygen level must not fall below 95%); 7) Aspilet for 14 days – for pain and possible swelling that might cause heart attack; 8) Sinecod 7days – for cough; 9) Flumicil 7 days – to break mucus in the lungs; Lastly, 10) family doctor number.
Paul Chua PhD is the deputy administrator for operations and engineering at the Light Rail Transit Authority. He took “Essentials of Policy Development” at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore; “Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies” at the Harvard Kennedy School; and “Leadership and Management for Integrity” at the Central European University.
Originally published by The Manila Times on May 6, 2021.
View the original publication at The Manila Times ↗