Award-winning clinician and a certified physician executive (CPE) in the US, Dr. Faheem Younus, had recently got infected with the Omicron variant of COVID19. Dr. Younus, the Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH), wrote on social media that ever since the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago, this was the first time that he had gone down with COVID. Post recovery, he has shared five valuable recommendations for those infected with the same Omicron strain.
1. Mask is a must: First, he emphasised upon the importance of wearing a N-95 or KN-95 mask whenever one travels outside or attends a gathering. He further added that masks and PPE kits have been effective given that people in his line of work were the first responders to the pandemic and that he had come in contact with several patients over that past two years. N95 masks were his first line of defence and they were efficient in keeping him safe. He lamented that he had recently attended a family gathering mask-less which is probably where he contracted COVID.
2. Get vaccinated: Second, he lauded the vaccines (including the boosters) which he got which reduced the severity of the symptoms as he was back to work 5 five days. He asked his followers to get vaccinated thereby emphasising upon the efficacy of vaccines in reducing chances of hospitalisation.
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3. Avoid generalised treatment: Third he wrote that he did not consume drugs such as steroids, antibiotics or paxlovid, ivermectin, zinc etc. as his symptoms were hardly severe. However, he asked his followers to avoid generalisation and consult doctors given varying degrees of severity demand different responses in terms of drug prescriptions.
4. Don't believe in conspiracy theories: Fourth, he asked his followers to make prudent decisions regarding vaccines as well as recommended protocols during the pandemic. He asked them to not believe conspiracy theories of any kind surrounding the vaccines and advised them to prioritise their personal health.
5. Comply with science and follow the heart: Fifth, he assured his followers that if they administer the vaccine (along with boosters) and follow necessary protocols (masks), it is most likely that they will fully recover from COVID. He nevertheless asked them to be conscious of their “risk tolerance”. Avoid taking outdoor sojourns unless very important. He asked them to “Comply with science, then follow the heart.”
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Dr Younus has contributed valuably to the discourse surrounding the pandemic ever since the outbreak back in 2020. He has given countless rational advice surrounding health protocols and has been lauded for countering unfounded claims surrounding vaccines. He recently warned his followers to not take Omicron starin lightly as the cases were doubling every two days, compared to delta variant which took two weeks to double, stressing on the rate of hospitalisation in the U.S., especially among the infants.
