Twelve months after the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic over the spread of Covid-19, a Sharjah resident reveals the physical and mental toll of twice testing positive for Covid-19 in the space of nine months.
Thanseem Parambil, 28, was admitted to Medcare Hospital in Sharjah on February 24 this year, two days after testing positive for Covid-19.
He initially managed the fever at home, in an apartment he shares with friends.
But his temperature started to rise and, reeling with acute body pain, he returned to the hospital's emergency department, where he nearly collapsed and required an intravenous drip.
It came as a shock to Mr Parambil, who previously tested positive for the coronavirus in May last year. He is, however, one of an increasing number of patients in the UAE who are catching Covid-19 for a second time, almost a year after they first caught the virus.
The men are upset because they are under the impression they had lifetime immunity
Cases of reinfection are infrequent, doctors say. The symptoms vary from mild to moderate, and are usually handled with isolation and antibiotics, but some patients require hospital treatment.
Dr Sanjay Paithankar, head of the Right Health group, which has 58 clinics in the UAE, said they treat "fewer than 100 patients a week" who have been reinfected with the coronavirus.
They counsel troubled patients and talk to company representatives, who are baffled when told their workers need to be kept in isolation again, having already once recovered from the virus.
Medics are spreading the message that catching Covid-19 does not created a lifetime of immunity and that everyone should continue to take safety precautions.
The World Health Organisation said that although it is rare, research shows that people who were once infected with coronavirus could be infected again when their antibody response wanes.
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said based on its experience with other viruses, Covid-19 reinfections were expected.
‘I could not stand, could not walk’
Mr Parambil said the effect was very different the second time around. He experienced mild body aches and recovered from the disease last year after spending a week in quarantine in a hotel.
The Sharjah resident said he feels drained and weakened by the illness this time.
Doctors found bronchial pneumonia patches on his lungs, and administered steroids, anti-inflammation drugs and a blood thinner to control the infection.
"I could not stand, could not walk. I felt dizzy when I stood up. It was horrible because for three days I could not sleep [because of] heavy body pain," said Mr Parambil, who works as a cashier in the same hospital.
“I’m better now but I still feel tired. I was really very upset to get Covid again; this time it was very hard.”
He has a persistent cough that doctors said will ease over time.
He was discharged after a week in hospital and resumed work on Monday after two negative tests.
People must take this seriously because the second wave is very strong and people need to be more careful now
Mr Parambil was scheduled to take his second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine on the day he was admitted to hospital and will reschedule the dose when he recovers.
He has a safety message that he repeats to anyone he meets.
“People must take this seriously because the second wave is very strong and people need to be more careful now,” he said.
“Some people are still not taking care. I never thought this disease could happen to me twice.”
Dr Rehab Ahmed, a specialist in internal medicine at Medcare Hospital in Sharjah, said this was the first case of reinfection she had treated.
She urged patients not to ignore symptoms.
"Viral infections, especially in Covid, cause inflammation. We start antivirals to stop a cytokine storm. In moderate to severe cases, we give corticosteroids and an anti-coagulant to prevent any deterioration further," she said
“But bronchial pneumonia requires time to fade out, although the infection is treated, bronchial spasms and the residual cough will take some time.”
No lifetime immunity to Covid-19
Dr Sanjay Paithankar, who runs 58 low-cost medical facilities across the country, said his doctors are seeing fewer than 100 mild to moderate cases of reinfection a week.
"The symptoms are of longer duration. Last year, we had a lot of people with throat pain, cough, cold and fever who would be OK in three or four days with basic medicines," said Dr Paithankar, head of the Right Health group.
"Now patients are reporting to the clinics with a history of more than two weeks of cough, cold and mild fever. Severe tiredness is an added, new thing, [with] severe muscle, joint pain of a longer duration.
“But the number of reinfections is small; it is fewer than 100 a week across all clinics.”
The men test positive about nine months to a year after they first contracted the virus.
The clinics are within walking distance of labour accommodation and treat 2,500 workers daily.
“The men are upset because they are under the impression they had lifetime immunity,” Dr Paithankar said.
“We have to tell them that a one-time Covid infection does not guarantee you will not be Covid positive the second time.”
In most cases, people were reinfected after the first dose of Sinopharm.
There were fewer cases of reinfection and much milder symptoms after the second vaccination dose, Dr Paithankar said.
The men are administered antibiotics and paracetamol and told to stay in rooms specially designated for quarantine in the labour accommodation buildings.
Dr Paithankar said the workers, who are largely healthy, are recovering quickly.
“The previous exposure to Covid helps your body’s defence mechanism understand there is infection, and it develops antibodies, or soldiers, to protect them,” he said. “The soldiers are ready this time because the enemy is known.”
Medical experts advise everyone to continue to avoid crowded places, socially distance and wear masks.
“All people – those who had Covid, those who took the vaccines and those who have not had Covid – everyone should know that Covid is a part and parcel of your lifestyle,” Dr Paithankar said.
Citizens socially distance in the UAE
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
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Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
The%20specs
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The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
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Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Twin-turbocharged%204-litre%20V8%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20625%20bhp%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20630Nm%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh974%2C011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
