COVID-19, walking pneumonia dangers are real

Several days before Christmas, my family has been extra careful against new Covid-19 variants or the rising endemic flu because of the yuletide temperatures. Despite our efforts, all three of us were infected by several “possible” sources. Initially, I had colds but without fever, while my wife struggled with her coughs, which she believes were allergies. Her lung was clear but her howling worsened with fevers up to 39 degrees Celsius. Our antigens showed we were COVID-19 positive. This was our second time, and we already knew what to do. Isolated in our Quezon City home, we were medically supervised by our nephew doctor from FEU Hospital, who gave us medicines for our coughs, colds, and fever.

At the same time, our daughter in her Makati condo unit, started to experience a hoarse voice and also worsening coughs after attending office functions including parties and luncheons.  And one evening, after breathing with difficulty, she drove alone to St Luke’s BGC ER and had herself checked. She was diagnosed with “walking pneumonia” and after her RT-PCR Test was also COVID-19 positive, (perhaps the new J-1 variant because in the test result, she was negative for the long list of deadlier variants).   We were in a dilemma, as we, her parents, were both positive for antigens at home and could not visit Gail who was also COVID-19 positive at the BGC hospital. It was mentally and financially challenging for all of us.

But by the grace of God, we pulled through, but this traumatic experience highlights the extreme danger that people are facing during these holidays. COVID-19 variants (although treatable and medically managed today) and walking pneumonia are still out there and should not be dismissed as a “simple viral disease”.

Some close friends, I talked to continue to insist that having coughs, colds, or fevers today is just the usual “trangkaso” experience. They believe that with complete rest, treating your coughs and colds with expectorants and mucolytics plus lowering your fever with paracetamol, you will heal. “Don’t believe the doctors who will scare you when they say it is COVID-19 or walking pneumonia.”

The Department of Health says about 78M Filipinos are already vaccinated against COVID-19 and this is 100.44 percent of their target population. Twenty-three million people received booster shots while 7.1M senior citizens or 82.16 percent attained their primary series. Of course, this includes my family, but we were still infected. 

At present, we are still on alert level 1 and the Department of Health confirmed the first 18 cases of the new Omicron subvariant JN.1 in the country through their genomic sequencing. But these cases, they clarified, are now already recovered. The DOH insists that previous vaccines can protect infected people from this new variant.  DOH’s daily COVID infections range from 380 to 400 cases, and most are from NCR (50 percent higher than previous weeks).  

Octa Research numbers declared that COVID-19 seven-day positivity in Metro Manila may be peaking at 22.4 percent last week Dec. 21 compared to 18 percent on December 14. Research fellow Dr. Guido David says new infections are likely to spread to the provinces.

The new Health Secretary Ted Herbosa acknowledged the increase in respiratory illnesses this season. He says the resurgence of severe COVID-19 is unlikely to happen. He advised the public to wear masks and seriously follow health protocols. On the other hand, my good friend, Dr. Tony Leachon advises people to. Ensure the inventory of anti-viral drugs, Molnupiravir (this is what we took during our infection), azithromycin, and cough and cold preparations. He says vigilant monitoring of cases is needed and that Long COVID Syndrome is a continuous threat regardless of the severity of symptoms.

If one observes society’s perception of health threats, one could easily say that only three out of ten people are wearing face masks today and social distancing is nowadays neglected. Even in public transport, drivers and passengers have discarded the use of face masks.  I still believe that I may have been infected by a driver of a hailing company we rode to our house from the mall. The unidentified driver was not masked and was coughing along the way.  But that is now past, and we must move on.

But to our readers, my advice is that you must observe health protocols to avoid these dangers. Any false move will lead to the loss of valuable time and money, serious family problems, and demise.

COVID-19 and “WALKING PNEUMONIA” are dangerous enemies. Beware.