Srinagar, Aug 25 (KNO): Influenza expert and Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) President, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan on Tuesday tested negative for COVID-19.
DAK President, who is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at GMC Srinagar, had tested positive for the virus on August 12 after showing symptoms of the disease.
“Today, I tested negative for the virus. It is a big relief,” said DAK President Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan in a communiqué issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
“2 weeks back while I was attending COVID-19 patients at SMHS hospital, I developed unusual symptoms – crazy fatigue, body aches and terrible headache. My test result came positive and I immediately quarantined myself. Next day, I was hit by nasal congestion, sore throat and joint pains. On the third day, I had profuse sweating, chills and an increase in heart rate. I was completely exhausted with no energy and was feeling sleepy all the time. The symptoms lasted for nine days,” he said.
“On day 10, I had a sense of well being when my appetite came and I regained my sense of smell and taste which had gone,” Dr Nisar said.
“But, all along my blood oxygen levels remained in the normal range,” he added.
Dr Nisar said it was a stressful period. “When you are a doctor, you know about the disease, you know about the complications and you know about the unpredictability of the virus. And when you have seen how patients deteriorate and die. All this was going in my mind and I was under a constant state of fear,” he said.
“What got me out of illness were the prayers from people of Kashmir valley. That gave me the strength to fight the disease. I am thankful and grateful to the people for their blessings and good wishes,” he said.
“I urge people to take the virus seriously as anyone, anytime can get it. With no specific treatment and no vaccine yet, the only tool to prevent the contraction of the virus is to take precautions and follow the health guidelines,” said Dr Nisar—(KNO)