It could be tempting just to throw caution to the wind once you recover from a bout of COVID-19. There are theories that one is immune after recovery, but studies are still in their early phases, so it is unpredictable how our bodies will react. Researchers haven’t yet confirmed if patients can get re-infected, or if a second infection could even be worse.  

You have to keep on building your immunity and practising preventative measures. 

How does recovery work?

Full recovery takes weeks or months, depending on how mild or severe your illness was.

Until now, COVID-19 patients treat symptoms and not the virus directly, but because the virus attacks the lungs, a significant part of recovery involves taking very deep breaths to strengthen your lungs. 

In South Africa, more people have survived than have succumbed to the virus, even though the numbers don’t reflect all those who were never tested or hospitalised and recovered in isolation at home. And of great concern to health authorities, are the reports of a few 100 re-infections worldwide.

Post-hospitalisation symptoms

With all focus on COVID-19, the recovery process of people discharged from the hospital is still under scrutiny. What data researchers collect is vital to track the disease and its aftermath.

Recovery time for mild cases is reportedly about ten to14 days, while more severe cases record recovery times from 3 to 6 weeks or more. People recover differently, depending on their pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Doctors note some people still experience shortness of breath, coughing, sore throats, muscle weakness, difficulty in talking, swallowing, walking and doing daily tasks. Or they have fatigue or experience changes in thinking and remembering with brain fog or cognitive challenges, insomnia, anxiety or depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder. This is owing to the nature of the hospitalisation during the pandemic, which is complete isolation without visits from friends and family.  

Recovery

By continuously investigating the different effects COVID-19 has, researchers note that the lungs, kidneys, heart and brain take significant strain.  

Recovery means taking life one step at a time and doing things differently when you tire easily. You have to learn how to conserve your energy, for instance, sit when you’re preparing your food or brushing your hair or teeth. Simple tasks that used to be done in a jiffy are now all an uphill battle. 

Maximising recovery

Post-hospitalisation, one of the best places to boost recovery is with psychological well-being. If you are experiencing severe psychological distress like flashbacks, being emotionally numb, denying your experience or having negative thoughts, ask for counselling services sooner rather than later.

Alternatively, boost your moods by phoning loved ones or video calling or using other social media platforms. However, stop using electronic devices at least an hour before going to bed, so your body is made ready for a good night’s sleep. Keep a journal to write down whatever comes up in your mind. Or, do something inspiring like reading a book or spending time outside in your garden, meditating or just relaxing. 

Rehabilitation

After such a devastating respiratory infection, rehabilitating your lungs with breathing exercises is a top priority, as the exercises improve shortness of breath and strengthen chest muscles.

For strengthening weak muscles after an extended stay in the hospital, Healthline suggests that people walk to improve their overall physical condition. An excellent guide to follow is to walk five minutes a day during the first week out of the hospital; ten minutes three times a day during week two and 15 minutes twice a day during week three. And keep on building minutes and distances at a pace you feel comfortable with.

Lying flat on your back contributes to deconditioning, rather spend as much of your time sitting upright in a chair.

When it comes to food, avoid alcohol and coffee; instead, drink about eight to ten cups of water to flush the infection out of your body. Do try to eat a diet rich in garlic, green vegetables, ginger, nuts, beans and seeds rich in vitamin B, especially B12 and B6, riboflavin, selenium and zinc. Sitting outside in the mid-morning sun should take care of your daily dose of vitamin D.  

Always be safe!

Even though your body is immune to COVID-19 for about six months, you should still follow all the social distancing rules when out at the shops, avoid crowd events and places. And continue to practise cleansing rules like sanitising, handwashing for 20 seconds with warm water, no face touching, but wear a mask and clean the surfaces that you often use like cellphones and computers. 

Everyone is everyone else’s responsibility, so practise safety. 

To keep a handle on your health, you have to eat a balanced diet, get exercise as much as possible and get checked by a medical professional once in a while! 

 The Medical Society can service thousands of people in need of primary medical care, every day.

Now, people who have been previously disadvantaged and are at a disadvantage for healthcare have the opportunity to get first level care from highly trained professionals.

Our low-cost policies do allow us to reach the millions of South Africans who battle to receive medical attention when they need it.