The Sunday Mail
Dr Misheck Ruwende was diagnosed with the coronavirus on January 5, 2021 after developing what he thought was an unexplainable flu. What was to follow was a gruelling duel with the deadly virus. Below we reproduce his account.
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I have now fully recovered. Thank you for your best wishes, checking on me and prayers that meant more than money. I shall extend the same gesture to those battling Covid-19 and other illnesses. I wish them a quick recovery.
Symptoms
December 28, 2020 — Day One — I started to feel like I was having a common cold.
Day Two: I started feeling weak.
Day Three: The general body weakness got worse and I developed a mild headache.
Day Five: The severe body weakness was now associated with severe body aches, severe joint pains and feeling feverish (but temperature was 37 degrees Celsius). The headache got worse.
Day Six: I then developed a sore throat on top of other symptoms, which then prompted me to get tested for Covid-19.
These symptoms continued until the ninth day when I got my Covid-19 positive results.
I wasn’t shocked. Because of this thing, which felt like an unexplainable flu, I had already suspected coronavirus.
Day 10: The other symptoms got better, but the sore throat remained. I developed some ulcers in the mouth and throat. I prepared maguru (tripe) — people could smell them from metres away as I was cooking. I couldn’t. Eating them was like eating rubber.
Sense of smell and taste had disappeared. Symptoms started subsiding until Day 14. The ulcers and the sore throat resolved. Sense of smell is back and sense of taste is almost fully back.
What I used for treatment
I only used paracetamol when I was feeling feverish and had a headache; resting with a bit of exercising; drinking lots of fluids — remember, water is the healthiest beverage — and lots of fruits.
I don’t mind people using kunatira (steaming) with eucalyptus and zumbani leaves, but be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water.
And there is no need for such treatment to be used on kids; in any case, children usually fight off the virus very well.
The STC30 stem cell (an extract from several plants) — I suspect it is another “moringa cure for everything”.
I did not use antibiotics like azithromycin because there was no need — I was breathing well and my temperature wasn’t above 38.
Everyone who tests positive or who gets symptoms wants azithromycin, among other antibiotics.
We are heavily abusing this antibiotic, especially around this time; there is really no need in mild cases.
We have few choices of antibiotics already; once they become resistant because of overuse, we will be stuck.
Having coronavirus symptoms or testing positive shouldn’t make you panic — calm down.
Talk to your doctor, community healthcare personnel or call ambulance or (phone number) 2019 if Covid-19 patient at home gets worse, like having difficulties in breathing, temperature remaining more than 38 for more than three days, etcetera.
Preventing Covid-19 involves preventing it getting around your face through social distancing, masking up, etcetera.
We don’t need the Government to force us to do that. It is you who will get sick or maybe die — be responsible for yourself and your neighbour.
What I observed, as many people knew about me being positive, is that many people have or have had the symptoms, but did not get tested for fear of the unknown.
They just do not want to know that they have Covid-19, fear stigma or being instructed to isolate (being away from others) and some due to lack of money for testing.
But I think Government hospitals have affordable testing.
Will I get another
Covid-19 infection?
Although I am left with some immunity, scientists do not know how much and for how long I will be immune, but, yes, that is possible.
However, there could be another strain of Covid-19, which may be severe.
Therefore, I will keep protecting myself by social distancing, wearing masks, etcetera.
I wish a quick recovery to those infected with Covid-19 in its various forms. Stay strong — eventually it will end.
Let us continue exercising preventative methods. This disease, although it causes mild or no symptoms to some, is claiming the lives of others. You do not want to get this disease, whether mild, moderate or severe.
We do not know its long-term effects — some have Covid-19 symptoms six months after diagnosis.
The particular group I have mostly seen succumbing to Covid-19 are the overweight and obese.
According to studies, they have 75 percent more chance to be in ICU (intensive care unit) than normal-weight patients.
ICU isn’t a good place.
Therefore, this vulnerable group should be well-protected from us and of course they must take utmost effort to prevent getting the disease.
As long as you have lungs, Covid-19 can potentially take your life, so be safe.
Dr Misheck Ruwende is the chief executive officer and founder of Health and Longevity Pvt Ltd.
