During the past 2 years (March 15, 2020 to now April 2, 2021), I have been exposed to people (2) in my house who have the potential for harboring COVID19. We have not been wearing masks at home. We have been eating together, usually 30 minutes. We have stayed in separate rooms. I have not gotten COVID19 with this interaction.
Also, during the past 2 years, I have been exposed to people along the streets in my neighborhood when I would do my walking exercises for about 50 minutes, one in the morning and another one in the afternoon. I have always worn mask at least. Most of time, I have added a face shield. I would stay away from the people walking also in the street. I would not chat with anybody as much as possible. I have not gotten COVID19 with this going out of the house for the walking exercise.
With the surge of COVID19 cases, today, April 2, 2021, the DOH reported 15,300 cases of confirmed COVID19 cases. I have heard of whole families being easily infected with COVID19 infection. It seems that the virus is more contagious nowadays. Lately, I have heard of more non-senior Filipinos dying of COVID19. It seems that the virus is more virulent or deadly nowadays. SCARY. HAVE TO BE MORE VIGILANT. Even though I had my first shot of vaccine last March 10, 2021, I HAVE TO BE MORE VIGILANT. THE VACCINE IS NO ASSURANCE.
Personal experience lately –
March 31, 2021 – I felt a little unusually tired in the afternoon. So, I skipped my 25-minute flexing and stretching exercise but I did my 3-km walking exercise in the neighborhood earlier. I slept a little earlier than before – 1130pm.
April 1, 2021 – I felt better in the morning. I did my 3-km walking exercise in the neighborhood. In the afternoon, I did my 3-km walking exercise. However, I felt very tired after the first km but persevered to finish the 3 km. In the evening, I decided to skip my flexing-stretching exercise. I slept early at 1030pm.
April 2, 2021 – I felt better in the morning. I even washed the car. I cleaned the garage. I did some gardening before my telemedical consultation. When I was having my siesta, I coughed 5 times for 5 minutes. It was a dry cough. I felt dryness and soreness on my throat. With this, I started thinking – am I starting to manifest COVID19 symptoms already, especially with this kind of cough? I decided to observe. I also decided to forego with my afternoon walking exercise. I just listened to a webinar. After the webinar, I noted no recurrence of the cough and with no progression of the sore throat. I decided to do my flexing-stretching exercise for 25 minutes. Here I am now (800pm) – writing this journal.
Two things:
Do I have COVID19? Honestly, I am worried as I continue to observe myself. I worry that I may be confined; that I may die; that I may be a burden to my family; that I was not able to protect myself after admonishing other people (my patients; my friends in Facebook) to avoid COVID19 [I fail!]; etc. I have decided I will continue to observe myself closely. I will rest (physically and mentally). I will have more hours for sleep. I will build up my host resistance. Of course, I will hope and pray that I don’t have COVID19 – just non-specific symptoms.
Should I tell my family already how I was feeling these past 2to 3 days? They may be alarmed. They may panic. Should I just keep these to myself but to continue observing my body and now wear mask in the house? I have decided to tell them so they will also be on guard. I will wear mask in their presence. I will stay in my room most, if not all, of the time. I will not go out the house for my walking exercise. I will just do my moderate exercise in my room.
My narration of my symptoms for the past 2 to 3 days, I think, is a common happening among all people in the community in the midst of COVID19 pandemic. Worry at the first symptom of possible COVID19. What to do? To tell relatives? To seek medical consultation right away? To have a COVID19 test right away? etc.
Last week, I wrote these 4 articles which I hope to validate with my personal experience and also to practice what I preach:
[ROJ-OCIL-SPEDPforall] [COVID-19] How to promote safety against COVID-19 and what to do in a COVID-19 emergency – disaster — How to promote safety against COVID-19?
[ROJ-OCIL-SPEDPforall] [COVID-19] COVID-19 Emergency – Disaster Preparedness Plans for an Individual Person
[ROJ-OCIL-SPEDPforall] [COVID-19] COVID-19 Emergency – Disaster Preparedness Plans for a Family
[ROJ-OCIL-PHE] [COVID-19] Exercise after COVID-19 – CAUTION
This is a developing blog. I will update as soon as possible.
I am writing this blog for educational purposes.
I welcome comments and sharing with other people for educational purposes.
ROJ@21apr2
April 3, 2021
As of 1210 pm today, I did not have a recurrence of my cough since yesterday. I have no fever and other symptoms. I slept at 11 pm last night after watching an online movie on St. Paul. I was able to do my 3-km walking exercises this morning from 745am to 840am – with rosary praying and watching and listening to online Stations of the Cross.
SO, I DON’T THINK I HAVE COVID19 INFECTION. OR I MAY HAVE BUT I HAVE OVERCOME IT.
OR I MAY HAVE NON-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS OF FATIGUE AND COUGH AND I HAVE OVERCOME IT WITH MY REST AND HOST RESISTANCE BUILDING (NO VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT – JUST HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE).
HOPE I WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS HEALTH RESTORATION PHASE.
I will report back when there is undue development.
Meantime, let me say, with my narration of my personal symptoms at this time of COVID19 surge, I have illustrated what I did and how to go about it. Hopefully, people reading my post will learn something from me.
ROJ@21apr3
April 6, 2021 (after 7 days)
As of 1010 pm, I don’t have any symptoms of unwellness. I have resumed my usual daily schedule, inclusive of exercises, blogging, telemedical consultation, etc.
SO, I DON’T THINK I HAVE COVID19 INFECTION. OR I MAY HAVE BUT I HAVE OVERCOME IT.
OR I MAY HAVE NON-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS OF FATIGUE AND COUGH AND I HAVE OVERCOME IT WITH MY REST AND HOST RESISTANCE BUILDING (NO VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT – JUST HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE).
HOPE I WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS STATE OF WELLNESS.
Additional Lessons / Insights
- You can worry at the first appearance of symptoms that may be COVID19 but do not panic. Isolate yourself right away and observe and monitor yourself closely. Rest right away and start to build up your host resistance (healthy diet, stress management, moderate exercise, etc.)
- Do not go right away and have a COVID19 test. I do not fully agree when an infectious disease specialist gave me this answer:
I will wait for a while and check if the symptoms will persist and increase and I will decide whether they are really suspicious of COVID19. Then, I decide whether I should have a COVID19 test or not. Indications for a COVID19 will depend on a lot of factors which I will not discuss here at the moment.
- Isolate and observe yourself for 14 days to play safe. If symptoms disappear and no recurrence within 14 days, you can get out from isolation but continue to practice the minimum anti-COVID19 prevention protocols.
ROJ@21apr6
ROJoson's Blog 