Personal experience: I have a coronavirus

I realized that anyone can get infected
The symptoms are very similar to the common cold
I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of 'COVID-19 positive and pneumonia'
Communication with the world occurs through the red button to call the medical staff
Doctors smile, although only eyes are visible through their uniforms
Stop all social connections and don't panic

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The story of a patient from Kommunarka who is being treated for COVID-19 right now.

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has exceeded 1,000, and most of them are located in Moscow. Many infected from the capital are sent to a medical center located in the village of Kommunarka. We contacted patient Maria Mukhina, who is being treated there for coronavirus right now. She told Lifehacker how and when she found out that she had contracted the sensational virus, how she is being treated and feeling, and in what conditions are the patients affected by the pandemic.

I realized that anyone can get infected

In October 2019, I began my studies in Europe on a continuing education program for young European producers. The course is aimed at ensuring that specialists from different countries - France, Germany, England - exchange experience.

I spent the New Year holidays in Moscow with my family, and after that I again actively moved around Europe. In January, when I was in France, worried relatives from Russia called me. In China at that time it was already a complete nightmare, so they were worried if everything was okay with me. I promised not to go to crowded tourist places so that they would be calmer.

I can't say that I have titanium health, but I lead a healthy lifestyle: I do yoga, run, and adhere to a vegan diet. Despite this, I was sensible about the risks and understood that age and daily habits are unlikely to save me from the virus. Some people think that young people do not get sick, but I realized that anyone can get infected. When the situation in Europe began to deteriorate, I got a little worried.

I was in London when our program was suspended due to the spread of the virus. I had to return to Germany to pick up my things and leave the room I was renting. Most of the students are Europeans, so they went home in the nearest cities, and I had a long way to Moscow. It turned out to be not so easy to fly away: flights to Germany and in the opposite direction were mercilessly reduced, and Stuttgart was left without direct communication with Moscow and many European cities.

Nervousness grew, and I decided to get to Helsinki first. It was one of the few options that brought me closer to the border with Russia: from Finland you can get to St. Petersburg by train or car. As a result, I spent the night in Helsinki, and then flew to Moscow on Aeroflot.

The symptoms are very similar to the common cold

After landing, passengers were asked to stay on the plane to measure each temperature. After passport control, we were given a questionnaire, where we entered contact information, flight number and seat on the plane, as well as the address of registration and the apartment in which we plan to stay during the 15-day quarantine. At the same time, we were not forced to isolate ourselves - we did not sign any strict agreements. I checked the box that I did not plan to leave the house in the next two weeks, although in fact I was not sure about it: the situation with my studies at that time was still uncertain.

Then we were asked to go to doctors - people in uniforms who did tests for coronavirus on those who flew in from abroad. The day before, I had a slight fever: I thought it was related to neurosis due to long and difficult flights, but I was glad to take a test for personal peace of mind. Doctors take biomaterial from the nose and mouth with a small shaggy stick, put it in a test tube and send it for examination. If the result is positive, you will be called. I got tested and went home to start my isolation period.

I had an antiseptic and, just in case, I disinfected all the suitcases I brought. For a couple of days, I felt absolutely normal: I calmly took things apart and did not feel any discomfort. I even started to forget about the temperature, but on the third day after my return it didn't feel very good: my throat ached, nasal congestion, and coughing appeared. I did not attach any importance to this, because the symptoms are very similar to the common cold. The only oddity was that blood vessels burst in my nose, so I blew my nose with blood. At that time, everyone lived with the information that the coronavirus is something completely terrible and it manifests itself in a specific way, so I did not do anything special and just stayed at home.

I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of 'COVID-19 positive and pneumonia'

This would have continued if, five days after my return, an ambulance had not appeared and decided to visit me. The doctors first came to the wrong address and called me with the words: “What is your apartment? Open the door! It even seemed to me that some scammers were on the line, but my mother lived at that address, and she confirmed that they were ambulance workers. Mom tried to clarify what was the matter, but they did not tell the relatives any details about the test results - this information was only passed on to the patient personally.

When I opened the door, an ambulance worker came to see me. He said that I had a positive test, conducted an examination and asked me to pack my things in order to go to Kommunarka. I had never been in a hospital before, so I didn’t know what could be useful and whether they would be able to convey something to me. We spent about an hour in my apartment, and all this time the doctor encouraged me, calmed me down and asked me not to rush. I had no tears, panic or hysterics. It was important to just pack up and go for treatment.

I have been in the hospital since March 22nd. To date, I have already done three tests for coronavirus, and on March 31, they will conduct the fourth. The second test showed a negative result, the verdict on the third is still awaiting - doctors say that it will take from 5 to 7 days (The third test was positive, the diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed. - Ed.). Also, during hospitalization, they took a blood test, did general biochemistry and computed tomography (CT) of the lungs. Based on the results of all the tests, I was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19 positive and pneumonia.

Communication with the world occurs through the red button to call the medical staff

I have a large room. I live in it alone, because patients with coronavirus are isolated. But if you only have a suspicion of infection and are waiting for the test results, you may be placed with two or three people. I sleep on a comfortable bed with colorful linens, which have already become the hallmark of Kommunarka. Nearby are two bedside tables with cupboards, a table, two chairs, a TV. There is an individual toilet and shower in the ward, in which you can bathe even a non-walking patient. Everything is very ergonomic, clean and new. The feeling that there was no one in the ward before me.

Photo: Maria Mukhina

Patients are not allowed to go anywhere, so all communication with the world occurs through the red call button of the medical staff: this is the only way I can ask for a bottle of water, find out the Wi-Fi password, or inform that it is time to remove the IV. I saw other patients only in the diagnostic room when I was hospitalized. This is a room in which there are eight beds, separated from each other by a screen. From here, people are taken to a CT scan or sent to write in a jar. Surprisingly, besides me, for some reason I haven't seen a single sick woman - I've met only men.

Doctors smile, although only eyes are visible through their uniforms

When I went to the hospital, I was worried that it would be psychologically difficult for me, but there is a very calm atmosphere in Kommunarka. There is no panic, intimidation or discouragement among the medical staff. Everyone is in a fighting mood: very positive, attentive and humane. Doctors smile, and you can see it, although only the eyes are visible through the uniform. They try to do everything to keep the patients calm: joke, compliment, say that you look better and everything will be fine. I feel needed and I am sure that I will be saved.

The transmission system has been debugged in Kommunarka. Visitors are not allowed, but relatives can leave something for you at the checkpoint, which I can see from the window of my room. The family members always wave at me when they arrive, which is very nice. Every hour, parcels are collected and delivered to the wards. Everything is very organized, so it remains only to joyfully disassemble what was conveyed to you this time.

Now I feel very weak, so most often I sleep, just lie down or answer relatives, friends and those who are not indifferent on social networks. There is no time or energy left for entertainment, but I still grabbed two books from home and plan to read them. Moreover, I have a laptop, so I can watch movies or listen to lectures from a university that has switched to online mode.

Stop all social connections and don't panic

My treatment now consists of antibiotics and three IVs a day. I also sprinkle miramistin and take cough pills. I don't know what will happen next, but I hope that in April I will be healthy. We have not yet discussed specific dates with the doctors - my condition is still far from ideal.

My main advice for those who are worried about the coronavirus: do not delay, call a doctor and get a test at the first symptoms. Cut off any social connections and don't panic. There was a moment when I read the news about coronavirus in Russia and realized that I was one of the total number of cases. It depressed me a lot, but in fact, you don't need to wind yourself up. The main thing is to stay calm, act clearly and feel responsible - for yourself and other people.