‘I was immunised, but still got infected’
DR K.HARI PRASAD, PRESIDENT, APOLLO GROUP – HOSPITALS, SHARES HIS STORY OF HOW HE CONTRACTED CORONAVIRUS AND SUBSEQUENTLY OVERCAME THIS PERIOD OF DISTRESS
April 7, 2021 was a busy day with back to back virtual meetings and I had spent the whole day in a rather cold room. By the evening I had a running nose and started sneezing. I did not give it too much importance and attributed it to the cold room. The next day I went to office as usual and had to give blood samples for my routine regular health check. Since I was giving samples I asked them to do a covid test also as I was having a slight cold. I got busy with my work till I got a call from the lab that the Trunat Test for Covid was borderline. I was still not worried, wanted to wait for the RT PCR Test which is the good standard for covid testing. A couple of hours later the report came and it was negative. I was relieved but kept my self isolated at work and home. The next day I woke up with a bad cold and fever. My doctors asked me to get investigations done once again. My CT Scan chest was normal, and this reinforced my belief that it is not covid. Trunat and RT PCR Covid reports proved me wrong. It was indeed covid and viral loads were high.
I quickly realised the seriousness. Both my parents had contracted the virus in June, 2020. They struggled for over a month,
I lost my father and my mother survived with severe neurological deficits. Having lost my father, I became paranoid about the virus. I began to think of writing my inheritance document as the most negative thoughts crept into my mind.
HOSPITALISATION, NOT FOR EVERYONE
As soon as the team came to know I was positive they got a bed in the already packed Covid ward and were preparing for my admission. I spoke to my doctors, Dr Sunita, Infectious disease specialist and Dr Subba Reddy, Intensivist and we discussed the course to be adopted. The treatment protocol was finalised and the only question was should I be admitted or treated at home? We came to a conclusion that hospitalisation was not a must at that stage. So the treatment would be started at home, I would monitor myself and if things worsen I would be then admitted. Thus began my home care.
Dr Sunita would do teleconsults. I would monitor my pulse, BP, Temperature and oxygen saturation and report to my treating team.
On the 9th day a complete review was done and all my blood levels came back to normal and I started feeling better. I was however, asked to continue isolation for 14 days from the day of onset of symptoms and thus was confined to my room.
TOOK THE VACCINE, HAD ANTIBODIES
I got immunised early and had completed both doses of the vaccine well over a month before I got infected. I had good antibodies, but still got infected. The fact is there is no vaccine which will prevent infection 100% of the time but there is ample evidence to prove that vaccinated individuals have a milder form of the disease even if infected. Vaccination is thus another critical factor which prevented me from going into the acute form of the disease.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT
Doctors, family and friends were of immense support and helped me stay strong and positive. Being connected with the rest of the world is the best way to remain positive and I used technology to its fullest potential to be connected with colleagues, friends and family across the world. Remaining positive during the course of treatment is also an integral part of the treatment.
SPARE THE BEDS
Covid is spreading rapidly and creating a panic. Everybody who tests positive does not need hospitalisation. Hospital beds must be left for those who need them most. Do not panic if you test positive, follow your doctor’s advice.
There are enough hospital beds in Telangana between the government and private sector. Both sectors are increasing the number of beds depending on the situation.
Oxygen concentrators are good aids and are extremely helpful in home and hotel isolation settings. However, they need to be used under medical supervision.
Even those who have moderate symptoms should stay at home and do tele-consultation with doctors to take the right medication. And keep an oxygen cylinder or a concentrator in case at all times.”
“Both my parents had contracted the virus in June, 2020. They struggled for over a month, I lost my father and my mother survived with severe neurological deficits. Having lost my father, I became paranoid about the virus.”