Keeping strong morale, along with following medical advice, is the key to fighting off coronavirus infection, according to a number of people who have recovered from Covid-19.
Journalist Emdadul Hoque Khan, who has recovered from coronavirus infection along with his wife and daughter, said mental strength was of paramount importance in seeing one through the crisis.
Emdadul is one of the earliest Covid-19 patients from the journalist community. He noticed Covid-19 like symptoms in him on April 1 and started taking medicine prescribed by his doctor friends.
Nine days passed before his infection was finally confirmed. He had to go through enormous difficulties to get himself tested.
“But I did not give up,” said Emdadul.
People can feel helpless in situations like these but staying strong mentally and having a positive outlook are the keys to the recovery process, remarked Emdadul, who is one of the 177 people in Bangladesh to have recovered from the deadly Covid-19 till now.
Dr Jahangir Palash, one of the many doctors of the country who contracted the virus while serving patients, recently made a recovery from the malady.
People should not be afraid and start panicking, said the recovered doctor.
Palash got infected while on duty. He isolated himself in a room of his house and then underwent treatment in a hospital for around 21 days.
“There was a little bit of mental pressure and panic. But if a person can stay strong mentally, then the process of recovery becomes quicker,” he commented.
Shahadat Hossain, another journalist who has recovered from Covid-19, said panic did not help and following the directives of doctors could guide a person towards early recovery.
“Being hospitalized is not necessary for all Covid-19 patients. Treatment at home is better in some cases where you can stay in a clean environment and be actually isolated,” he commented.
“In hospitals, the beds are 3-4 feet apart but it is difficult to remain isolated as many people stay at the same ward. Moreover, sharing lavatories is common practice in hospitals,” added the journalist.
Several patients who have recovered from Covid-19 in the country suggested that drinking warm water and doing gargle at home were two very helpful things for those who showed mild symptoms of the disease.
Some of them said drinking hot water or tea with a few drops of lemon juice and ginger was effective as well. Taking medicines prescribed by doctors was also a must.
But what most survivors agreed on was that possessing a strong will was essential to recovery.
Prof Md Kamal Uddin of the Psychology Department at Dhaka University agreed with such sentiments and advised all Covid-19 patients to maintain strong morale during any epidemic or danger.
Cooperation from family members as well as the people around was also very important in a person’s journey towards recovery, he pointed out.
