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During the middle of Ramadan (May 2020), I had symptoms like running nose, sore throat, mild cough. So, being a doctor, I took Azithromycin and some throat lozenges. Unfortunately, it was not getting better, and my temperature has risen to 102 degrees with severe body pain. I consulted a doctor. I then went to a specialist in a private hospital(Dubai). The specialist said I have mild bronchitis and prescribed me antibiotics, cough syrup, and vitamin tablets.
On the third or fourth day, I was a little dyspneic while walking or going to the toilet. I did not have asthma, but my family has a history of asthma, so I took a nebulizer twice or thrice a day but still did not get any better. So I went to the doctor again; he examined and told me that I have mild Pneumonitis and added another antibiotic. He also suggested I take a Covid test, so I took the test and believed it would be negative. But the reports did not come for the next three days. I called the doctor, and the doctor told me that I would not be intimated if the report is negative. If it is positive, then it will be informed. So I felt very happy.
But on the 4th day, the doctor called and said, “Sorry, doctor, your report is positive.” I was shocked.
I hadn’t gone out for the previous three weeks as it was Ramadan, and there were no night prayers in the Masjid due to Covid. But one of my close relatives was having fever and cough before I got the symptoms. We used to sit together.
Once I got a positive result on my test, I immediately got admitted to a private hospital. They then took another covid test – throat swab, nasal swab. They were examined on the 2nd day of admission. But both tests were negative. They also took another x-ray and started antiviral, retroviral therapy, and iv antibiotics. Later, they gave me Tocilizumab for Covid.
On admission, my oxygen level was 93 or 94. So they gave me 2 liters of oxygen. After delivering oxygen, it was 96-97. Once hospitalized, I had a high fever for four days, so they gave me IV paracetamol. On the 4th day, it started coming down. But I had dyspnea.
The staff nurse was very supportive, advised me to do breathing exercises – encouraged walking to avoid clots in my lower limbs. They advised me to have good thoughts, pleasant memories and not to get depressed. Because depression is not good for Covid patients as it will affect immunity.
The first time I hadn’t fasted for the last 15 days was in Ramadan, and during Eid, I was in the hospital. That made me a little depressed. The most difficult thing was that I could not meet my family members.
If you needed anything like hot water or milk, the response was not quick. Because they will have to wear the PPEs, the nurse will come three times a day. It is very difficult for the nursing staff as they have to wear those PPEs for 8 hours. Duty doctors used to go once a day to examine.
On the 9th day, I was normal. It was getting better. 12th day I got discharged. After coming home, I started seeing Whatsapp messages where the people have written how they suffered in ICUs with intubation. I thanked the almighty for not getting me into such a situation.
“My story should give hope to senior citizens who contract Covid. It is possible to beat this disease”.
– Retired Doctor (Dubai)
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