Beating Covid: My friends did not believe I had Covid

I am certain that I contracted Covid-19 at a hotel reception in Mbale in early November last year.
During that time, due to the curfew measures, we would book hotel rooms in case we had to attend to cases in distant areas since we could hardly move in the wee hours of the night.
While at one hotel, in the morning after I was done with work I had had the previous day, I sat at the reception as I waited for the vehicle to pick me up and take me back to Kampala.
I was focused on a touching story I was reading on my phone which made me pay little attention to my surroundings.
Among the people who were near me, one had a mild cough and a running nose but had no mask. I did not mind since I was putting on my mask.
After some time, I realised his situation was getting worse and that he could be of harm to us. I notified the receptionist who seemed unbothered. This forced me to walk out of the hotel.
A few minutes later, the car came and off we drove to Kampala. After three days, I developed a mild fever with some flu but this didn’t worry me.
I, however, started putting on two masks and received medication from a nearby pharmacy, but the mild fever persisted.
One morning, I worked at Nabweru Magistrate’s Court and our trial magistrate had been indisposed. I, therefore, requested my colleague with whom I was working, to arrange another date as I went to the physician at Makerere University Hospital for a general checkup. I tested for malaria, typhoid and a few other illnesses but all the tests were negative.
I proceeded to City Oil to replace my car tyres, and I hang around with my cousin until about 7pm. As I drove home at about 7.15pm, the chest pain which had been mild intensified and I developed difficulty breathing.
Thinking I had fastened the seat belt for long, I unbuckled it. I also thought that the difficulty in breathing could be due to the other car fumes in the traffic jam. So I quickly put my car windows up and switched on the air conditioning. However, the loss of breath intensified and I lowered the windows again.
I continued to feel uncomfortable and realised something was wrong. I rushed home and changed my clothes as I opted for casual ones in which my body could feel at ease.
The man, who sneezed endlessly with a running nose and a mild cough in Mbale, came to my mind and I started making consultations about the virus, from various people who had contracted it and had healed.
Among the people whom I called and got a clear response was Dr Rajin Tailor, a former Buganda Kingdom minister, a social worker and city businessman.
On explaining to him how I felt, he told me it was Covid-19 and he immediately advised me to stay composed and avoid panicking.
He then told me to engage Mulago Hospital doctors as the private health centres would deplete my savings. My symptoms by then included a mild fever, cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and no sense of smell or taste.
I called my brother who drove me to Mulago Hospital. At the hospital, there were several ambulances ferrying in people and their contacts. I explained myself to the doctor but he said that the people testing out-patients had already gone.
I was then admitted to hospital and had to wait until the next day to do the test. My results returned after three days and were positive. I truly expected those results and I decided to calm down and focus on treating myself.
Before my results came out, I had received medication which included Azithromycin, Vitamin C and paracetamol to cure my symptoms but I realised that the trick behind dealing with Covid-19 was boosting my immunity and taking plenty of foods that had vitamin C and D.
I, therefore, cured most of my symptoms in about five days which gave me hope.
I always received fruits from my brother, and in addition, I also received a balanced diet at the hospital. The fruits included mangoes and oranges which were brought to my isolation room where I was staying with few other people who were also positive though not in a severe condition.
After being relieved a bit, I wished to return home but the discharge protocols were strict. I was moved to Level 4 of Block C which is the asymptomatic ward where I stayed for 14 days as they monitored my situation before I would be left to associate with the community again.
The most painful and scary thing was the persistent loss of breath where you see yourself exiting earth.
At that time, you inhale oxygen but something in the chest pumps it back and when you force it again, the chest pain intensifies.
Staying away from work for a long period unexpectedly was also painful because I spent almost two weeks without attending to my duties and of course suffered some losses.
My family and friends took it lightly apart from one of my brothers and I’m really grateful for the help he provided.
I did not face any stigma despite my friends rejecting my narration of how I suffered with Covid.
I tested again after a period of around 15 days and the results were negative. I posted on my social media platforms that I had recovered from Covid-19 but people thought I was being petty.
Advice
Those who haven’t gotten the coronavirus should endeavour to social distance, wear their masks correctly, covering the nose and mouth.
I currently wear two masks at a time. Even when I appear to be acting in an abundance of caution, I’m not shy because I know how much it affected me.
For those who are dealing with the disease, your mental health is equally important at this time. Have enough rest and don’t worry too much.
Despite the big numbers of deaths reported, there are also many cases of those who have recovered. These people should be used to sensitise communities on what to do. I currently speak to every person I meet without a mask and even those who wear the masks badly.
Biggest lesson
One has to be cautious of the surroundings and the condition they are in. It is also important to follow guidance from professionals because in this case, health workers are there to guide us.
Googling symptoms is the best way to assure yourself that you’re dying. Google doctor exaggerates the impact of your symptoms but an actual doctor examines your general body condition and advises from a position of knowledge and experience.
measures
Early testing
Early this year, Scientists advised members of the public to go for Covid-19 testing as soon as they start experiencing syptoms so as to enable early diagnosis.
Dr Mukuzi Muhereza, the secretary general of Uganda Medical Association (UMA), said early testing enables early treatment and better outcomes.
He said the best time for one to go for the Covid-19 test is between the sixth and the eighth day when the symptoms start.
According to the Ministry of Health, late presentation to hospitals for treatment is linked to the rising Covid-19 death toll.