The Other Side of Covid-19

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Much has been written about the unrelenting spread of the Coronavirus across the world. As of this writing, the Johns Hopkins Resource Center tracks over 100 million worldwide confirmed cases that have resulted in 2.2 million deaths. The United States alone accounts for 26.6 million of these cases and 454,060 confirmed deaths. These are staggering numbers that continue to rise and in one way or another have touched every single person in this country. We hear these numbers almost every day in the news but what we do not hear about is the other side of Covid-19, the people who have survived. One thing almost all survivors acknowledge is unless they live with or were caring for someone with Covid-19, they have no idea where they contracted the virus.

It Begins-The Other Side of Covid-19

There are literally hundreds of thousands of Covid-19 survivors that have experienced the other side of Covid-19. Some, with relatively mild symptoms, isolated at home and self-medicated with over-the-counter drugs. Others, who were not as fortunate, grew progressively worse and had no choice but to visit the closest hospital emergency room. From this point, the individual stories and outcomes change for better or for worse but some experiences are remarkably similar.

The Early Stages

In the early stages of the pandemic medical science had very few arrows in their quiver to combat this aggressive monster. Patients arrived in emergency rooms to spotty testing ability and crucial time lags from testing to results. Without diagnosis confirmation often they were simply sent home to quarantine alone and await their results. Time was not an ally in this situation, and many returned to the ER for admission with high fever and severely restricted breathing.

What Happens Next?

First, let’s be clear… Covid-19 is not a death sentence! The reality is far more people recover than succumb to this virus. For certain it is a dangerous, life-threatening disease that requires every ounce of courage and determination that an individual can muster to recover. The more seriously ill hospitalized Covid-19 victims follow a path that ultimately leads to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where the median stay ranges from five to nineteen days. The intensity and treatment of individual cases will vary depending on different individual health conditions. As survivors describe their experiences many remember in vivid detail their trip to the ER and their release from the hospital. Most have little recollection of what happened in between. Judith Hunt, an 80-year-old survivor from New York City described it best when she said.

• “This is not the flu. This is something that wants to kill you. It saps your strength and makes you feel like you prefer to die.”

What Are the Lasting Effects?

A November 2020 article in Democrat & Chronicle gives us a good idea of the lasting effects of Covid-19. For many people who have fought Covid-19, survival is just the start of what can be a brutal aftermath. There can be physical issues — such as fatigue and irregular heartbeat — and uncertainty over possible permanent damage. Many survivors report dealing with mental challenges, such as anxiety, confusion, and depression. Some, with mild cases, will recover and go about their life with little to no difficulty. Others may not fully recover for months or even years.

Beyond Medical 

Aside from the lingering medical issues surviving Covid-19 patients experience, for many, it is just the beginning. Many people who have recovered from Covid-19 have reported feeling, not like themselves: experiencing short-term memory loss, confusion, an inability to concentrate, and just feeling differently than they did before contracting the infection. Neurological issues in Covid-19 survivors appear to be widely spread and suffered by those with mild symptoms as well as more serious cases requiring longer-term hospitalization. The most popular name for some of these issues is “Brain Fog”. Typical Brain Fog complaints that people describe are memory loss, trouble finding words, problems with attention, and being overwhelmed by simple tasks. 

Life is Not the Same

Life after Covid-19 will not be the same. There will be no going back to normal. Serious Covid-19 victims that I have spoken with have been very clear that early in their hospitalization they did not think they would survive.  Much of their ongoing ordeal could not be remembered but this single event is one that has remained in their memory and has shaped their view of life going forward. Ask any survivor who has had a close “brush” with death, and they will tell you it tends to clarify what and who are important. The outcome for some is a deep spiritual awaking, the importance of family and friends, and an understanding of what they almost lost. Others gained a better understanding of personal and professional values and what really counts when the chips are down. The other side of Covid-19 is truly a life-changing experience.

The Good News

Medical Science has made great strides since the pandemic was declared. New breakthroughs in treatments and medications are saving countless lives. Vaccines are slowly becoming available and over time will contribute to a significant reduction in the number and severity of Covid-19 cases. Live Science reports that death rates have fallen by 18% for hospitalized patients as treatments improve. We will survive!

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