Recovering from the COVID-19 infection is only a partial success since the complete war remains to be fought after recovering from the deadly infectious disease. Due to the established pattern of illness progression, self-monitoring post-COVID-19 was a simple chore during the first wave of the pandemic, when the fever normally fades within 4-6 days depending on how strong your immune system is. The second wave of the pandemic, however, perplexed medical specialists in the nation as the virus mutated into newer varieties, taking on a more dangerous shape with the capability to seriously destroy human biological functions.
Before we begin with ways to look after ourselves post-COVID recovery, let us be cautious of unauthenticated news surrounding the disease that is being widely circulated. For instance, there was a rumour that menstruating women should not administer COVID vaccination. Please do not fall prey to fake news being circulated mainly on social media platforms.
One of the frequently asked questions is when a COVID recovered patient can be freed from self-isolation. If you are asymptomatic, you can be released from isolation after 12-13 days, according to leading medical specialists. Those who exhibit symptoms, no matter how slight, can be released from isolation after 14-15 days. You can also decide for an RTPCR retest; if negative, you're ok; if positive, but displaying no symptoms and passing 15-16 days after COVID, you can still come out of isolation.
According to medical professionals, even if you test positive after 14-15 days, you will not spread the infection to others. People are more likely to infect others during the first 8-10 days after becoming infected with the deadly infectious virus. You will, however, have to strictly adhere to basic COVID-friendly behavior like wearing face masks, maintaining personal hygiene and maintain social distancing when outside home premises.
It's vital to remember that even after recovering from COVID, a person is still vulnerable and sensitive, and if proper measures aren't taken, the person may become extremely ill again. Healthy lifestyle choices like a well-balanced nutritious diet and appropriate exercise are mandatory post-COVID recovery.
The diet should consist of a simple healthy balanced home-cooked meal. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be inculcated into the diet along with sufficient water intake. Food should be alkaline in nature as the immune system thrives in alkaline conditions. Highly acidic food is best avoided like highly sugary food and junk food. Citrous fruit juice, rich in vitamin C is hailed as a superfood for the immune system by top medical experts and must be part of a person's regular diet.
After the first 20 days of rest, you can slowly start with light to moderate intensity exercises. Brisk walking, yoga, Pranayama, and light bodyweight exercises are key for a faster and complete recovery. However, one must avoid rigorous workouts like exercising in the gym, cycling, and running. COVID patients who have recovered must be careful not to leave the house alone to exercise. They should be accompanied by someone since they are vulnerable to cardiac problems and lung fibrosis, a post-COVID lung illness.
A COVID-recovered patient who already received the first dose of COVID vaccination must get the second dose within 30-45 days after recovery. The recovered patient who has not been administered either of the two doses can get inoculated after 30-45 days post-recovery, as per the latest guidelines.
It is critical to use an oximeter to regularly monitor the person's blood oxygen level following COVID recovery. If the oxygen level falls below the usual bar, the victim must receive emergency medical attention.