The first time I experienced symptoms related to coronavirus was when I was in Iran – where I was visiting for a pilgrimage – two days before my arrival in Pakistan. The symptoms included sudden dizziness, headaches and severe weakness. I could feel my hands and feet going cold. Fever and nausea followed.

On arriving in Karachi I didn’t have any symptoms: no fever, no cough. The next day I went to Ojha Lab of the Dow University of Health Sciences, for a complete blood count (CBC) test advised by a family physician. The test report was okay. (I would learn later that coronavirus can’t be detected through a CBC test.).

On February 25, five days after my arrival in Karachi, I again felt the symptoms but those were not severe. Next, I started coughing.

The same night I went to Dow to get the diagnostic test for coronavirus done. They didn’t have the facility so they referred me to Aga Khan University (AKU) Hospital.

I was apprehensive that I might have contracted the virus because I had similar symptoms. So I went there on my own. Throughout my brush with the disease I never had a breathing problem or a chest pain.

Once I had been diagnosed with the disease, the treatment I received was good and professionally administered. Officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Sindh government visited the hospital the day I was admitted and took my medical history. Unfortunately, some of my personal information was later leaked to the media. The breach of privacy led to many problems for me and my family.

I was never scared of the virus, even when the doctor told me that I had tested positive. I absorbed the news with a lot of courage. An unknown challenge lay before me. I managed to face it with a resolve to fight it, and by trusting in Allah.

The quarantine ward was equipped with proper facilities. Doctors and the nursing staff were caring and hard working professionals. I remain grateful to Dr Faisal Mehmud, who led the team following my case. Visitors were not allowed during quarantine. Only my parents were allowed a visit during my last days at the facility.

Even though I was a little alarmed when the symptoms first appeared, the fact that I had a strong support system helped me remain composed.

The treatment was symptomatic. The doctors tried to cure the symptoms. Efforts were also made to boost my immunity. I was given good food, and special care was taken for hygiene. During my early days in treatment, I was nebulised twice. My vitals (temperature, blood pressure etc) were recorded regularly and X-rays were taken frequently.

Following my recovery, I am leading a normal life. I continue to take precautions. I was told by doctors that the virus will not affect me again but some recent research suggests that I still may not be immune to it. I don’t intend to take any risk.

People who get to talk to me want to hear about my battle with coronavirus. Throughout my ordeal, I received support from people around me – my family, my friends, my classmates, my teachers and university officials.

My family gave me strength which is why I didn’t stress out or panic. Even though I was a little alarmed when the symptoms first appeared, the fact that I had a strong support system helped me remain composed. The Sindh government’s response and support were immensely reassuring.

On April 2, I donated my plasma. I had heard on the news that plasma from patients who had recovered may be helpful for patients struggling with coronavirus. I had already intended to offer any help I could for research. The Children’s Hospital in Karachi reached out to me. Dr Saqib Ansari mentioned that they had the resources and the equipment necessary to extract plasma. So, I was tested to check if I was eligible to donate blood for this research. I was and I made the donation.

From my personal experience, I understand that this is not a dangerous disease for most of us, if we pay heed to medical advice and take necessary precautions. Even if you contract the virus, recovery is fairly easy for most people.

Prevention is better than cure. If you are still not convinced about social distancing, let me explain it in simple words: it’s not just about you. If you are negligent and are exposed to the virus, by continuing to ignore social distancing rules you pose immense risk to others, some of whom may have compromised immunity and would be at great risk. This is about our responsibility as citizens and as humans.

With the support of the government and cooperation from the public we can overcome this crisis. But for that we need to take precautions – practice social distancing and strictly following what is recommended by doctors and ordered by the government. God willing, together we will defeat this virus.