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'May Pag-Asa': COVID-19 survivor shares lessons after beating virus

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ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y-abuOgZzEE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Afraid of the novel coronavirus? One of the first Filipinos to be diagnosed with COVID-19 shares his ordeal as well as the lessons learned after beating the disease.</p><p>“PH 15” - so named because he is the 15th Filipino to be diagnosed with COVID-19 - arrived in Manila last February 25 after a 12-day stay in the United Arab Emirates.</p><p>Four days later, he had a fever.</p><p>“Nung February 29 may lagnat na ako. Hindi na ako gaano makatayo o makalakad din. Bale, hindi na ako feeling well that time,” he said in a radio DZMM interview.</p><p>A day later, the fever was gone but a persistent cough and cold would not go away. He also lost his sense of smell and taste.</p><p>“Gumaling naman ‘yung lagnat, pero ‘yung ubo, sipon hindi nawawala hanggang sa nawalan na rin ako ng panlasa at pang amoy… ‘Yung pagkawala ng panlasa at pang-amoy hindi ko siya dati nararanasan kapag nagkakasakit ako,” he said.</p><p>PH 15 refused to see the doctor, reasoning that the cough and cold would eventually go away. A week later and with the symptoms not abating, he decided to go to Makati Medical Center for a checkup.</p><p>At the hospital, he was shocked to learn that his symptoms and travel history matched those of other COVID-19 patients. “March 7, I was admitted and isolated. Hindi na ako pinauwi,” he said.</p><p>The hospital also conducted contact tracing to see if other people had also been infected with the virus.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=242118553588942" data-width="auto"> </div><p>The next 8 days were crucial for the 25-year-old Filipino as he battled the disease with paracetamol, multivitamins, an antiviral drug and cough suppressant.</p><p>&quot;In total, 8 days ako admitted. I had no visitors. Mahirap kasi isolated ka physically and mentally sa family at kaibigan. Nagdasal po talaga ako kasi nakakagaan ng loob kapag may kausap ka,” he said.</p><p> He also conquered his fears by reading stories about other coronavirus survivors around the world who beat the disease.</p><p>“Nagbabasa ako ng good news, ‘yung mga recovery cases sa ibang bansa. Nakakagaan siya ng loob. Alam mo na nakakapagbigay siya ng pag-asa kasi alam mo na may gagaling,” he said.</p><p>“Kahit wala pang na po-prove na lunas sa sakit na ito, alam mo na may pag-asa, na kaya namang gumaling as long as ginagawa mo nang tama ‘yung mga pinagagawa sa iyo ng mga doctor, iniinom mo sa oras ‘yung mga gamot na prescribed nila, may personal hygiene at may social [distancing] ka.”</p><p>PH 15 is now out of the hospital after recovering from the disease, armed with a certainty that COVID-19 can be beat.</p><p>“Nakakalungkot na may namamatay dahil meron silang pre-existing conditions. No one deserves this virus,” he said.</p><p>Asked what he has learned after his illness, he said: “Sa public, ang maipapayo ko, unahin natin ng dasal.”</p><p>&quot;When we pray, we have hope despite all the trouble around us. We have to help each other, magkaisa at magmahalan. Wag tayo mag lamangan. Sumunod tayo sa preventive measures na sinasabi sa atin ng gobyerno. We can help flatten the curve, do social distancing,” he said.</p><p><br/>“Let us also help those greatly affected by the lockdown, lalo na ‘yung no pay, no work. Continue to be generous and to give to others. Magtulungan lang tayo at magmahalan at matatapos din ito.”</p>

<p>Afraid of the novel coronavirus? One of the first Filipinos to be diagnosed with COVID-19 shares his ordeal as well as the lessons learned after beating the disease.</p>

Afraid of the novel coronavirus? One of the first Filipinos to be diagnosed with COVID-19 shares his ordeal as well as the lessons learned after beating the disease.