BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – For more than a year, Indonesia has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time, thousands of people died and left a deep sorrow for their families and the wider community.
The Covid-19 attack knows no age, gender or status. All circles are not spared from the potential for exposure to this virus.
Academic staff who have been exposed to Covid-19 as well as Head of Institution of Development and Studies of Islamic Syiar (Lembaga Penkajian dan Pengembangan Syiar Islam, LPPSI), Dr. H. Tata Sukayat, M.Ag shared his whole complete story of struggling for Covid-19.
Exposed to Covid-19 when being diagnosed for Typhus Symptoms
Tata Sukayat did not know and tell when exactly he was confirmed positive for Covid-19, but he insisted that he was exposed when he attended a religious meeting. Unfortunately, he was not feeling well at that time and his body was not in good condition, and had seemingly Typhus symptoms.
“That time, it was impossible to stop public administration service, and I thought I was exposed at that time during religious meeting, even when health protocol was strictly applied. I caught a cold, high fever, cough and breathless terribly,” he said on Friday (July 2nd, 2021).
As soon as he experienced symptoms similar to Covid-19, he decided to take a PCR test and as expected, the results were positive. When he found out he was positive, he immediately took swift steps to undergo self-isolation.
Confirmed Negative after Three Days
Although it struck his physical condition, lost his appetite and the ventilator was not helping to relieve the shortness of his breath, he tried to stay calm while following the doctor’s advice. During self-isolation, he regularly took vitamins, fish oil and doctor’s prescription drugs combined with herbal remedies.
“I tried to hold tightly to self-isolation, did not make direct contact with families, forced eating and do meditation. Most importantly, four aspects of biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual, must be in balance,” he said.
From biological perspective, he said the importance of light exercise, regular eating and drinking and consumption of vitamins, medicines and herbal products to speed up the healing process. Psychological condition must also remain calm and steadfast.
“Sociologically, I take care and protect myself, so temporarily I do not make contact to anyone. For the spiritual, I strengthen prayer, dhikr, and munajat. Alhamdulillah, thanks to the combination of the four, after three days I was able to recover and was confirmed negative,” he continued
Supported by Families and Colleagues during Self-Isolation
He was able to recover quickly, one of which was because his family and colleagues at Unpas continued to provide support, care, and ensure that he would recover soon. Plus, during self-isolation, he avoided reading news and information that could make his condition worse.
“Families and relatives at Unpas really care about me, alhamdulillah. They even sent me vitamins, asked about my health progress and condition and prayed for my recovery. The Covid-19 Task Force that has been formed has also really carried out their duties,” he said.
Long-Covid-19 Effects and Efforts to Overcome it
Vice Dean III of Unpas Faculty of Medicine dr. Trias Nugrahadi, Sp.KN(K) stated that few survivors could still feel number of effects after being recovered from Covid-19, such as fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, mental disorders, and difficulty sleeping. The following efforts can be made:
- The symptoms may occur sometimes, both for those who have comorbid and no symptoms at all. If the effect persists, control and consult to the doctor immediately and regularly.
- If there are effect of shortness of breath, take the prone position to improve respiratory ventilation so that more oxygen gets into the body. For Muslims, it is enough to prostrate during prayer.
- Hoarseness can be healed shortly by getting used to singing or reading the Koran.
- Getting used to eating and drinking in an upright position if there is swallowing disorder.
- Doing light exercise, eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, implementing a healthy lifestyle, applying the 5M & 3T principle and getting Covid-19 vaccination.
He also emphasized that Covid-19 survivors have the possibility of being re-exposed to the virus. This is due to the formation of immunity or natural immunity in the human body is different. Therefore, the mentioned steps above can be applied to strengthen the body’s protection. (Reta)*