Sharing below certain things from my own personal experience and thoughts, after having struggled and finally overpowered the deadly disease. It is my own set of things which I have summarized with a good intention of helping people who are on the same wavelength. People who disagree can also just browse through the same to see if something atleast helps them.
If people are healthy, request them to please go and get themselves vaccinated first(depending on the availability) , because I believe that the intensity of infection will surely be much much lesser if one is vaccinated.
Remember, for people who are asymptomatic or with very mild symptoms, it's easy to pass through this quarantine phase because nothing major would have affected them . But, for people with moderate /severe infections it is tough to be in a positive mindset, while they undergo the pain and discomfort with the illness, keep themselves in the right frame of mind with the circus happening around. It is not easy to keep oneself motivated.
And so I humbly request everyone not to generalize everyone's infection, and instead try to support, empathize and help out people physically (wherever possible) and more mentally, emotionally and morally by talking positive things OTHER Than talking about just the infection/virus and simply advicing them of other 100 medications, tests and things which they might be already into.
So I thought, I will try to summarize a few things from my own experience to help out anyone who is in the same mode as me.
First things first( from my experience if you have covid symptoms) :
1.Never overmedicate yourself with everything everyone tells. Everyone's body is different and may not react the same way. Manage with paracetamol for fever and pain for a period of 8-10 days if your body permits. Don't add too many medications, high dosage antivirals, etc etc unless necessary.
Your body fights any virus/ bacteria on its own. You just need to aid it by being tolerant and not over reacting.
2. Keep an oxymeter and thermometer handy. They are the ones which help you to monitor, regulate and decide on further actions.
3. Please approach some sensible, genuine and non commercial doctors before deciding on anything adverse.
Remember, if the virus had an effective medicinal cure, people would not be suffering and dying like this. (Chest x-ray or scan is required only in extreme cases. Unnecessary scans and x-rays will only cause long lasting damage. So be smart before deciding on anything.)
4.Incase of breathlessness or slight pain in chest, lie down on your stomach with a pillow support.
Check for the technique called 'Proning' on net and practice. This will definitely help you increase your saturation levels.
5.Do slow breathing. Inhale through nose, hold for 3 seconds and breath slowly out through mouth. Repeat for a few counts.
6. Even though people claim steam inhalation helps, it might not actually kill the virus and overdoing it may lead to other complications. So do limit yourself taking the steam. Try nebulization for a couple of days, if there is too much of congestion, but after taking a prescription from doctor.
7.Gargle with salt water or betadine solution if throat pain or irritation.
8.Drink hot fluids frequently. Keep hydrating with tender coconut water , fruit juice and ORS.
9.Have simple, easily digestible and nutritious food, lots of veggies, greens and fruits. Take multivitamins for few days if needed.
10. Wear masks when around others, wash hands and have things sanitized which you have touched.
11. Have some important phone numbers stored for emergency use, and use them as last resort.
12.Isolating and self treatment at home is much better, as the hospital environment is definitely not for everyone and it affects one's mind, which ultimately affects the body.
Added to that, the current scene at hospitals is quite ugly, not to blame the medical system. But with the high level of cases, it's quite normal. Patients outnumber the medics and the medical workers are already drained of their energy serving from past 1 year. So nothing to be blamed here.
Now coming to the non-medical things, which I feel are more important to be aware of during the infection rather than other things are :
1. Never panic, have positive outlook whatever may be the situation, and try to endure the pain to whatever extent possible. Stay strong in your mind.
2.Have people with positive vibes and attitude around to help you, There should be people who can support you by talking positively, calm your tensions by keeping on telling you will be alright.
Remember those who have panic attack themselves can't take good care of you and you very well will end up in hospitals.
Understand that there are people with serious issues to be taking hospital beds, so don't rush to the hospital just for minor issues.
3. Stop watching/reading/talking about the disease. Every single thing/message leads to the virus now. So try to divert yourself with other good things.. Throw the mobile.
Read a good book(though not easy to concentrate), watch some comedy movie, try to relive your good memories, play some music, shloka chanting around you all the time. Good vibrations definitely help you. It's a proven fact.
4. Try to self motivate yourself, think of all the good things in your life and the better things which you are going to do in future.
Never lose hope, keep talking to yourself, keep motivating yourself, tell yourself you are not gonna give up for a silly virus(though easier said than done),
stay away from too many advices from every individual you talk to (though it might be genuine, too many things will only affect your functioning).
5.The incubation period of the virus is around 10±5 days. So the danger of the virus spreading after 15/20 days is lesser, especially with masks and social distancing no matter what. So, please don't keep on testing yourself positive or negative for your assurance as there are people who really need to be tested in labs. And with every necessity getting misused by certain section of people for making money even in this pandemic situation too, it's a really unfortunate scenario. Don't know what can get worse than this.
I am just trying to do my bit here, by sharing things as I have experienced in these almost 25 days of infection/isolation to recovery. It might or might not help you.. But one definite thing is irrespective of whatever, KEEP PUSHING YOURSELF through this tough phase, as NO ONE ELSE CAN DO IT FOR YOU.
Also for people who ask, why I caught the infection though am a regular yoga and Pranayama practitioner, I believe although I got it, I could fight out the virus only because I was mentally, emotionally and physically strong which is ultimately because of my yoga and Pranayama. Yoga never fails anyone... Soon need to get back to practice, as I regain my strength.
Well, all is well... Every experience in life definitely gives us something in return.
Best takeaway for me from this experience is my kids have become super responsible.. ☺️
My elder one can take care of her sibling, do the dishes, hang clothes, fold clothes, make tea, spread the bed, clean her things. And the lil one observing her and learning. Though there are quite a number of spills, shouts, quarrels, fights... Its completely acceptable considering the small innocent minds are trapped inside 4 walls with ailing people and the ghostly virus all around them.
Not being able to see/interact with friends, not seeing the outside world, no travel, all restrictions.. they are super adaptable to every circumstance..
..... I wish we grown ups could be as mature as them....
Praying the world heals itself soon.🙏
God... 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I know everyone is not as lucky as some of us who have recovered... I just pray wholeheartedly that this pandemic ends soon and we have a more beautiful world with more matured people..And we soon have those days where we can go greet people without fear, shake hands, hug each other, not sanitize every bloody thing, travel to every nook and corner without having to fear about anything, children play/roam freely outside, doctors/front line warriors can sigh a breath of relief.. That finally the war is over............... 🌄
Praying... Waiting with bated breath for that day..But while at it, not to forget to.......slowly..
INHALE...... EXHALE... .
INHALE....................................
EXHALE...................................
I....... N.... H... A..... L.... E...
E...... X... H.... A.......L....E.....
