BENGALURU: A tech professional, whose prolonged coronavirus infection had doctors worried, has recovered after nearly month-long hospitalisation. The 39-year-old, Patient No. 17 of Karnataka, was discharged from Victoria Hospital’s Trauma Care Centre on Tuesday.
Most Covid-19 patients without serious complications recuperate in 14-15 days. The techie’s fever subsided in normal time and he was stable all through, but his breathing problem didn’t improve and he kept testing positive for the virus.
In all, he was in the isolation ward for 26 days, split across Victoria and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD), and even on the 24th day, the test report showed no change. Subsequent examinations, however, were negative. As per protocol, a patient can be discharged only if they test negative twice in a span of 24 hours. He hailed doctors and other staff at both facilities as gods, and said pranayama videos and a clip on deep breathing shared by Harry Potter author JK Rowling helped him cope with the situation, apart from the excellent medical care he received. Earlier this month, Rowling tweeted that she suffered from suspected coronavirus symptoms but had fully recovered. The video she shared showed a London doctor demonstrating breathing techniques that he said could relieve symptoms. “Her post was very helpful,” the techie told TOI on Wednesday.
He returned from the Netherlands on March 13 and developed high fever. Dr Naveen of the Singasandrsa Primary Health Centre examined him and referred him to RGICD. He tested positive on March 20 was admitted to RGICD. The techie’s wife and two daughters later tested positive and were treated at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.
Over two weeks passed, but there was no change in his viral load, even as 79 other Covid-19 patients at RGICD recovered and went home. In the first week of April, he was moved to Victoria. The prolonged infection took an emotional toll. “I was frustrated because even after 21 days, I was still testing positive,” he said. Praising all the doctors who attended to him at the two hospitals, he said: “I see god in all hospital staff members.” They are gods in human avatar, saving everyone’s life.”
While being discharged, he thanked the staff and urged them to take care. The techie had never spent time in a government hospital before. “The food was good and the care was great. I had high fever and low oxygen saturation. I survived because of the care extended by Dr Raghu, Dr Arvind and Dr Deepak at RGICD, and Dr Naveen of Singasandra PHC,” he said.
His wife and daughters were discharged on April 13, a day before him.
It’s not clear why the techie continued to have the infection for over 24 days. “Even doctors were clueless. But I am alright now,” he said.
He shared his joy with Jawaid Akhtar, additional chief secretary, department of health and medical education. “I’m really happy to go home after 26 days,” he texted.
Most Covid-19 patients without serious complications recuperate in 14-15 days. The techie’s fever subsided in normal time and he was stable all through, but his breathing problem didn’t improve and he kept testing positive for the virus.
In all, he was in the isolation ward for 26 days, split across Victoria and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD), and even on the 24th day, the test report showed no change. Subsequent examinations, however, were negative. As per protocol, a patient can be discharged only if they test negative twice in a span of 24 hours. He hailed doctors and other staff at both facilities as gods, and said pranayama videos and a clip on deep breathing shared by Harry Potter author JK Rowling helped him cope with the situation, apart from the excellent medical care he received. Earlier this month, Rowling tweeted that she suffered from suspected coronavirus symptoms but had fully recovered. The video she shared showed a London doctor demonstrating breathing techniques that he said could relieve symptoms. “Her post was very helpful,” the techie told TOI on Wednesday.
He returned from the Netherlands on March 13 and developed high fever. Dr Naveen of the Singasandrsa Primary Health Centre examined him and referred him to RGICD. He tested positive on March 20 was admitted to RGICD. The techie’s wife and two daughters later tested positive and were treated at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.
Over two weeks passed, but there was no change in his viral load, even as 79 other Covid-19 patients at RGICD recovered and went home. In the first week of April, he was moved to Victoria. The prolonged infection took an emotional toll. “I was frustrated because even after 21 days, I was still testing positive,” he said. Praising all the doctors who attended to him at the two hospitals, he said: “I see god in all hospital staff members.” They are gods in human avatar, saving everyone’s life.”
While being discharged, he thanked the staff and urged them to take care. The techie had never spent time in a government hospital before. “The food was good and the care was great. I had high fever and low oxygen saturation. I survived because of the care extended by Dr Raghu, Dr Arvind and Dr Deepak at RGICD, and Dr Naveen of Singasandra PHC,” he said.
His wife and daughters were discharged on April 13, a day before him.
It’s not clear why the techie continued to have the infection for over 24 days. “Even doctors were clueless. But I am alright now,” he said.
He shared his joy with Jawaid Akhtar, additional chief secretary, department of health and medical education. “I’m really happy to go home after 26 days,” he texted.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
City
Watch: Cheetah helicopter of IAF makes precautionary landing in UP’s Baghpat 
COVID-19: J&K’s Doda resident walked for around 30 km to reach Bank 
Coimbatore: Motorists stopped for 30 minutes lecture on Covid-19 and steps to prevent it 
COVID-19 crisis: Away from kin, workers in Hyderabad desperate to return home
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app