The COVID-19 virus has not only spread all over the world, but it has caused serious effects to the human body. Many people who have survived have come out and spoke about their experience of the virus and what physical changes they went through when fighting the virus.

“For most people, the symptoms end with a cough and a fever. More than eight in 10 cases are mild, but for some, the infection gets more severe,” said Doctor Marlene Tanqulit. Many survivors have experienced during their quarantine a sigh of relief when they start to feel better but others worsen and can be put in life-threatening situations.

Once the virus enters the body, it causes serious effects that could possibly lead to one’s body shutting down. The virus makes many changes to your body, and it’s normal to suspect you have the virus if you’re having symptoms that are unusual or even if it’s just a headache. It’s very important to get tested for your safety and the safety of others.

“A virus infects your body by entering healthy cells. There, the invader makes copies of itself and multiplies throughout your body,” said Doctor Tanqulit. 

Many COVID survivors suffer from similar side effects to the body .

“I had severe headaches, felt very tired and suffered from a serious fever and loss of smell and taste,” said Lizbeth Ortiz, who recovered from COVID. 

Many people who have suffered from COVID symptoms fear the virus and what it could do to them.

“My worst fear was getting so sick and not being able to fight and come back from it. Many people of my age have died due to this virus. My age group is most at risk, so losing my life would be my worst fear. Losing my life and family because that is what this virus does, it makes your body so sick that it can take your life,” said Lilia Ortiz, who recovered from COVID.

It’s hard for some people, especially in other countries, to get treatment to be able to fight off the effects of the virus. 

“Here in my small town in Mexico there are no doctors nearby. We have to travel to help treat our symptoms due to the virus, so when I had COVID, I had to take a three-hour bus drive to see a doctor to get some medication to help treat my symptoms,” said Lilia Ortiz. 

Some people with more serious symptoms and if not given the proper treatment to fight off the virus effects can lead to a possible fatal consequence.

“Symptoms due to the virus included lung pain and weakness of the body. This virus drains your body from all its energy and makes you feel so much pain that the only thing you can really do is quarantine and sleep and try to take medication to help the pain go away, and sometimes it doesn’t go away,”  Lilia Ortiz said. 

It’s very important to stay isolated when affected by the virus because it’s possible to have more symptoms later during isolation.

“After a week, the headaches became less severe and the fever lowered. I started to get my strength back, but it’s very important that you stay in quarantine for the full 14 days because even though I felt myself getting stronger, I developed a loss of taste and smell a couple of days later,” Lizbeth Oritz said. 

It is very important that people affected by the virus stay in quarantine not only for their safety but for the safety of others.

“Us doctors are relying on the public to do their part with good hygiene, masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus,” Doctor Tanqulit said.