My Experience Fighting COVID-19

Posted on by Hani by

I got COVID-19 in February when the Omicron wave hit Malaysia. At the time, I was fully vaccinated with Sinovac and had received my booster shot (Pfizer). While vaccination doesn’t guarantee immunity against infection, it helps strengthen your defences, making it easier for your body to fight the virus if you get infected. 

How It Started

It took about a few days before I realized I had COVID-19. Initially, I noticed my throat felt oddly dry, but I didn’t think much of it since there was no fever or other symptoms. 3 days later, I woke up with a severe headache. That same day, I learned that several colleagues had tested positive for COVID-19. Concerned, I took an RTK test, which came back negative, giving me a sense of relief.

However, my headache worsened the next morning, accompanied by flu-like symptoms, a sore throat, coughing, chills, body aches, and a fever. I also experienced night sweats. Initially, I thought it was a typical fever since my earlier test was negative. But by evening, my body temperature spiked to 38.7°C, and I started shivering. Another test confirmed my fears: I was positive for COVID-19.

Isolation and Coping Alone

In Malaysia, fully vaccinated individuals with COVID-19 are required to isolate for seven days, regardless of the variant. I was initially terrified because I have a history of asthma and live alone. The thought of managing the illness without anyone to care for me was overwhelming. However, I also felt relieved knowing I didn’t have to confine myself to a single room. Living alone meant I could move freely around my home without risking anyone else’s health.

The next morning, I visited the COVID Assessment Center (CAC) for a check-up. The nurse informed me that with mild symptoms, there was no need to visit the CAC. Instead, I was instructed to update my test results and health status daily on the MySejahtera app. For seven days, I had to report my symptoms twice daily—a process that felt reassuring, knowing someone was monitoring my condition.

Despite feeling awful during the first three days, I took steps to manage my illness. I sanitized my home, took medications for the flu, cough, and sore throat, and supplemented my recovery with vitamin C. Aside from the common symptoms, I also experienced chest pain when sneezing and a partial loss of taste.

Post-COVID Challenges

After completing my seven-day isolation, I expected to feel better. However, the aftermath of the illness lingered for weeks. Here’s what I experienced:

  • Recurrent Fevers: My fever returned intermittently for three weeks, with the highest temperature reaching 39.8°C.
  • Extreme Fatigue: Simple tasks left me exhausted. Shortness of breath made it hard to walk, talk, or perform basic activities.
  • Heightened Sensitivity to Sound: Every noise felt amplified, even regular conversations.
  • Insomnia: Falling asleep became a nightly struggle for over a month.
  • Persistent Dry Cough: It took weeks to recover fully.
  • Muscle and Joint Pain: These lasted for about two weeks.
  • Dizziness: I experienced constant head spinning until week three.
  • Memory and Focus Issues: I struggled with remembering words, forming sentences, and concentrating—an issue that persists to this day.
  • Changes in Menstrual Cycle: My period abruptly stopped during the illness and returned irregularly afterwards.

My Advice for Those Testing Positive

  1. Stay Calm: Panicking will only worsen the situation. Take a deep breath and focus on what you need to do next.
  2. Follow Guidelines: Update your test result on MySejahtera and adhere to the app’s instructions. If your symptoms are mild, start home isolation immediately. Seek medical attention only if you experience severe symptoms, such as chest pain.
  3. Medicate and Supplement: Take medications for specific symptoms like flu, cough, or fever, and include vitamin C to boost your immunity.
  4. Stay Home: Avoid going out during your isolation to protect others.
  5. Be Patient: Recovery takes time. Allow your body to heal gradually.

My Health Now

Though I’m mostly back to normal, some challenges remain, such as occasional memory issues. On the brighter side, I’ve resumed running and workouts without breathing difficulties. However, I’m more cautious now, as recent studies suggest that prior infection doesn’t guarantee prolonged immunity.

Even though Malaysia has entered the endemic phase, COVID-19 is still a risk. While younger, healthier individuals like myself have a better chance of recovery, the virus can be deadly for others. Let’s continue adhering to health guidelines, prioritizing safety, and staying mindful of our actions.

Stay safe and take care.

 

X, Hani.

 

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