The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, has revealed why patients people are overcoming Coronavirus infection within days.
Stressing that the development should not be a surprise to people, Otegbayo said a combination of factors including having underlying diseases, immunity level and viral load determines who can survive within days of confirmation of Coronavirus infection.
He disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Nation on his experience in self-isolation while infected. The CMD tested negative last week, less than eight days after testing positive to the virus.
The CMD explained that the virus thrives better and wreak havoc more in persons who have underlying diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc, adding that those with weak immunity will most easily fall prey to the deadly virus.
He said: “Result coming back negative within days is largely a function of the status of immunity and viral load. Some immunity status may be weak or strong depending on individuals. For instance, if somebody is having a common cold and he is sneezing, some people will interact with them and nothing will happen. Whereas some people will pass by them and start sneezing within hours. Two, those who have underlying diseases are likely to have symptoms and high level of viruses or low immunity. If someone has cancer, heart disease, diabetes etc they will most likely have weak immunity.”
Otegbayo, however, said it is wrong for people who just test negative to immediately return to work and interacting with others, pointing out that it is against National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines. “For those who are returning to work after testing negative, their action is not in tandem with the NCDC guidelines. After the second test, you are supposed to stay at home for seven days before going to work. So, those doing that are flouting regulations.”