I tested positive for COVID 19 | Will the pandemic end soon?

Our eyes see and record every memory that goes on in life. A blog that writes short stories, motivation quotes, blogging tips, and positive vibes.

The world is becoming insane. It gets increasingly violent, with wars, economic recessions, political power obsession, the deaths of innocent people, earthquakes, viruses, and disease. It may seem to be the end of the world, yet life carries on as long as the planet continues to rotate, and we are still breathing. 

I told myself last year that I would publish a blog article every week to keep the momentum going. However, things have lately altered as a result of several important priorities. And, as I write my second blog entry of the year, I have a nightmare.

Everyone has one or more things they want to avoid in their life, whether it's people or events. We've been fighting this virus together for two years. I didn't want to get infected with the coronavirus at all. This could happen to anybody, including me. I recently tested positive for COVID19 the previous month.

We've heard of the many COVID19 variations. Omnicron is the most recent variation we've heard of (so far). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus will evolve over time. The virus's capacity to propagate, the severity of the sickness, the efficacy of immunizations, therapeutic medications, diagnostic technology, and other public health and social activities are examples of how the virus evolves.

Read more: Tracking SARS-C0V-2 variants.

The end of the pandemic?

The frontline and people have been fighting this devastating infection for two years. More than a million people have died in the first year of 2020; the WHO's data has been made public. Early calculations indicate that the global death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 is at least 3 million, 1.2 million more than has been officially reported. The WHO's statistics can be read in full HERE. But, given certain nations' restricted access, might it be more than that?

Several factors, especially socioeconomics, are influenced by the pandemic's persistence. But recently, we have heard the good news. Malaysia declares endemic status ahead of the reopening of the border in April 2022. After almost two years of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, The Prime Minister of Malaysia claimed the move to the endemic phase was an exit plan that would enable Malaysians to return to a near-normal existence.

But I doubt how well it will be handled again. Nevertheless, we have to learn to live with the virus. 

Home Quarantine: Tested positive COVID19 

Having a coronavirus inside the body is not everyone's favour. It is what I've been avoiding since this pandemic happened. But, it happening. Fortunately, I've been vaccinated with two doses but haven't got a booster dose at that time because you need at least 6 months distance before taking the booster.

The period of me being quarantined is 10 days for those who had been symptomatic and haven't got a booster. While, for those who have obtained third doses, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, the quarantine period is 5 days.

Any detail of what should you do if you have a symptom and are in close contact, please visit HERE as more accurate information are provided.

Let's begin the story with the most popular question I've been asked. 

'Where do you get it?'

It began on Sunday evening with a severe headache, exhaustion, and a sore throat. COVID cases in Sabah increased around that period. And I never expected it would happen in my hometown. I have a strong suspicion that I've been infected. So I did a test using the Covid test kit, and it came back with a double line, just as I anticipated.

At the time, I was at home, thinking and wondering, "Where did I get this?" To be honest, I am unable to accept reality. I eventually decided to keep it to myself and remain quiet about it. However, I will seem selfish and will most likely make things worse for those who have had close contact with me. Eventually, I reconsidered my decision by contacting all of my close contacts.

Of course, I'm aware of the consequences. People will speak about it, some will fabricate a story, others will accuse you, my family will be interrogated, and who knows what else? However, this is a virus that has the potential to kill you and harm your health. I'm sure some people may relate to the sensation of having a virus within their bodies. Your health and the safety of those around you are more important than human gossiping. So, let it go.

Having COVID inside your body is not only detrimental for your physical, but it's also awful for your mental health. How guilty I was to those in close contact with me at the time. And all I could do was pray that none of them was affected, and thankfully, none of my friends tested positive. On the other hand, my family was positive, which I expected given that we all lived in the same building.

So, except for my parents, who were sent to the quarantine centre, we remained at home quarantined. The quarantine facility is not a terrifying place (as some people believed); they were supervised there, nurses and doctors, and they would be fed regularly (though it might be boring because you stay inside all day long). But, despite their exhaustion daily, I suppose it helps them get some rest.

Some may wonder as to where I can get this COVID. But I'm sorry, I didn't have an explanation for you. I have a firm answer: I DON'T KNOW. I'm exhausted from blaming others for what is happening since I know no one wants this to happen. And deep down, I'm aware of my own emotions of guilt and imagine passing them on to others, knowing that it would harm them emotionally rather than physically. It's a difficult moment. I've been infected, as has my family, and all we need that time is support, not punishment nor criticism, or blaming. It's enough that the virus harms our health system; we don't need a mouth to damage the soul.

Symptomatic COVID positive | How do I deal with it?

Disclaimer: I'm not a health worker, and I don't have any medical training or experience working in a professional team. All of the things I eat, drink, or do may not have the same effect on everyone. Please visit the Ministry of Health's website for further information, and use the MySejahtera applications to keep track of your health.

The Omnicron virus propagated more quickly than other variants, but most symptoms lasted less than a week (correct me if I'm wrong). More specifically, most infected people only had severe headaches, sore throats, and fevers. Fortunately, our appetite, as well as our senses of taste and smell, remained intact. Some of the symptoms appear after the exposure to COVID:

Day 1: Exhaustion, joint pain, fever, and a sore throat.

Day 2: Fever, sore throat, and coughing pain, with a runny nose.

Day 3: Fever subsides, but a runny nose, loss of voice, coughing, and sore throat persist.

Day 4: No fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing up phlegm, and feeling drained rapidly.

Day 5: Sore throat lessens, as does coughing, phlegm, and fatigue.

Day 6: My sore throat has gone away.

Day 7: Things are improving.

Day 8: Things are getting better (Negative Covid test).

Day 9: There are no more symptoms.

Day 10: No further signs or symptoms.

It took approximately a week for me to go back to normal. You will, however, update your health status in MySejahtera Apps daily. The symptom, your blood pressure measurement, temperature, oxygen level, heart rate, and other symptoms were among the questions they asked. 

Supplement and some traditional practices during quarantine (might help you deal with COVID);

1. Vitamin C supplement 
2. Hot lemon drink
3. Coconut drink
4. Herbs roots drink (we called it as sintotoubou)
5. Steam bath with herbs roots 
6. Get enough rest

My regimens are simple, yet they help me improve and fight COVID. Please read the disclaimer; I'm not authorized, and this practice can't guarantee you a 100% positive outcome.

To wrap off this personal blog entry, I hope everyone is doing well and staying well. Some of us may still be fighting COVID, while others may have already experienced it. We understand how it feels, and we will continue praying for the affected individuals. Get well as soon as possible.

In a few weeks, it will become endemic, but a virus is still a virus. We must learn to live with the virus. We can avoid this by following standard operating procedures and, if positive, self-quarantining. Remember to get your vaccination.

Stay safe.