Dr. Armah Toko Wilson, MD [email protected], Contributing Writer
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered Coranavirus. It is spread through droplets of saliva or discharges from nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Good personal hygiene such as washing of hands with soap and clean water, using hand sanitizer, and not touching your face and or wearing face mask are all effective methods in preventing the disease.
According to the World Health Organization, 213 countries have reported Coronavirus disease, with 2,804,796 confirmed cases and 193,722 reported deaths. As of April 26, 2020, the Global case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 6.9%.
The disease is proving to be incubator for stress, hopelessness, fear and economic stagnation. Billions of people are home under lockdown. Public gatherings of any kind are prohibited. Schools and business are closed, and traveling restricted. Liberians are supportive in the fight against the virus and anxiously waiting for the celebration of victory.
The disease is proving to be incubator for stress, hopelessness, fear and economic stagnation. Billions of people are home under lockdown. Public gatherings of any kind are prohibited. Schools and business are closed, and traveling restricted. Liberians are supportive in the fight against the virus and anxiously waiting for the celebration of victory.
Admittedly, the statistics are not so good. A country with prior experience in fighting Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), one would expect Liberia to be on top of her game when it comes to fighting public health diseases.
Unfortunately, the results are proven to be almost the opposite of progress. The initial s-o-l-u-t-i-o-n being provided by government is not solving any problem. As a result, questions are being asked daily: Why are we having low recovery cases? What is the reason Liberia continues to have exponential deaths and confirmed cases? Does the lockdown achievable, affordable and applicable to our country? Why hospitals are closing their services to the public? These and many other questions need answers. Today, I would like to provide tips to one of the many questions–recovery for COVID-19 patients.
Presently, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. Nonetheless, there are ongoing clinical trials for potential treatments. Global recovery rate stands at about 93 percent and for Liberia it stands at about 90 percent. Recovery from COVID-19 is similar to many other diseases which among other things include:
Courage and hope: how well or how poorly, a patient in isolation center going to be, is boiled down to a simple question: Does the patient have assiduous courage that s/he will live and unbending hope to leave the treatment center in the soonest possible time? If his answer is yes, he has ninety-three percent chances to be among the patient that will recover. On another hand, a lack of hope is an invitation for depression and perfect prescription for catastrophe. In his FrontPage Africa interview, Liberia’s index patient highlighted that the overwhelming support he received from his church, friends, and family kept his hope and courage alive, hence his recovery.
Compliance: Authorities should comply in providing the necessary medical supplies and equipments and set up treatment centers that meet international standard. Patients in isolation centers should comply with treatment protocols and prevention. Taking medication on time, the right doses as directed by the physicians can accelerate recovery. Following hygienic practices, social distancing and eaten balance diets are part of the regimen.
Exercise: Try to exercise as tolerated. Exercise has enormous health benefits. It controls body weight, helps the body to regulate blood sugar, reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases, and improves mental health and mood.
Sleep: Try to have adequate sleep. Sleeps help to build your immune system. Your immune system is the one fighting the disease. Remember those with compromised immune system oftentimes end up with fatalistic outcomes.