Please consult your doctor for medical advice. The information presented below is to share knowledge of an elderly person who went through the ordeal of the deadly disease.
An elderly man from New Jersey got infected with Corona Virus-19. Symptoms of weakness, fever, cold, and cough were shown on March 16 and according to the man, it could possibly be his first day of exposure. He doesn’t recall attending large group gatherings. In his recollection, he went to his office and two grocery stores.
After three days into the exposure i.e., March 19the symptoms worsened. He had shortness of breath and a dry cough. He used a couple of doses of Azithromycin and found no relief from the symptoms. He got tested for Coronavirus from a drive-through test center on March 23. The next day (March 24) he got a call from the testing center confirming his doubts that he tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
He maintained self-quarantine and isolation from the day he started showing symptoms. In Luck, he had few friends who are medical practitioners and checked up on him with phone calls on how he was doing. He was advised to go to the hospital only if he felt he is unable to breathe. A doctor friend of his said only go to the hospital if it is of the last resort.
He used Tylenol an over the counter medicine for flu, fever, and cold. This helped him with reducing fever and gave him a little bit of relief. The severity of the symptoms and cough increased significantly to Day 10 (March 26). There was no sense of taste. Due to the severity of the dry cough in several instances, he said he coughed blood. His nose was bleeding. The breathlessness he had between Day 8 through Day 10 alternated from severe to relief for every 3 to 4 hours. It was very erratic.
He also used Motrin to reduce fever. In January, in-office gossips, his colleagues discussed that the virus will not sustain at temperatures above 57 degrees Celsius. He remembered the traditional practice of breathing steam in Asian countries during the common cold. Steam temperature is approximately 100 degrees Celsius. The logic suited its purpose and the ancient practice was a great idea. He thought the only thing that can make this go away was by inhaling steam.
He boiled water to steam and covered his head under a blanket to inhale the steam. He continued this practice rigorously every day multiple times. He started to get some temporary relief after inhaling steam. Every day no matter how weak he felt his desire to fight gave him strength and courage. He bathed every day; did his prayers and he was breathing.
He said even one member of your family gets the virus your house is called COVID house. All the family members in the house and exposed to you have to be isolated in self-quarantine. All positively tested persons should be quarantined to their room. He used a lot of Lysol and other bacteria-killing supplies to keep his room sanitized. He removed his own garbage and used disposable plates and cups. He suggests for others to inhale steam from Day 1. The virus did not allow him to eat anything. He lost more than 10 pounds.
His symptoms started to decline from Day 14. He said his cough stayed for a few more days. He started to get his taste back. April 4th he went back for testing. His result on April 5th came back as negative. He and the family are still remaining in quarantine as he has concerns that there may be a second round.
His advice is that prevention is better than cure. The virus does not discriminate against people from age, sex, religion, gender, or race. Everyone is susceptible to it and must be careful. In his words ultimately it is if the body can fight the virus or not. It will affect all groups in different intensities.
To prevent Corona Virus, the general public is advised to follow safe distancing, covering nose and mouth. The virus spreads through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. Educate people around you to cover into their elbow for coughing or sneezing. Do not touch your face.
Touch your face only after washing your hands with soap and hot water.
According to World Health Organization “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).”
The Center for disease control says, “A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.”