I was quarantined and discharged after testing COVID-19 positive. Why do I still have a cold?

Question

Hi doctor,

Recently, I had a positive result for COVID-19. I had mild symptoms. While going for the test, I had only cold and body pain. After few days, I lost my sense of smell. I was in quarantine for ten days. During discharge, I did not have any tests. This happened a month back. But still, I have a cold. During quarantine, I took Hydrochlorquine and Azithromycin with multivitamins for five days. I am taking Cetirizine tablet for ten days at night.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. Recent guidelines of WHO (world health organization) suggest that symptomatic patients are declared as recovered and released from isolation after ten days of onset of symptoms with three additional days showing no symptoms of fever and respiratory symptoms. There is no need to repeat PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test although this may still be done. This is based on the recent data that after nine days of onset of symptoms, COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is no longer detected in the samples taken.

On considering this, you can come under recovered from COVID-19 although some persons still reported post-residual symptoms after getting recovered from COVID-19 infection showing symptoms of breathing difficulty and fatigue. At present, we do not know the possible long-term sequelae of COVID-19.

Your present symptoms are related to different pathology. I suggest you increase your fluid intake and avoid going to dusty or smoky areas. You can take Loratidine 10 mg one tablet once a day before bedtime for five days. Take Vitamin C 500 mg one tablet once a day. If your symptom persists or becomes worse with new onset of symptoms such as breathing difficulty, then further consultation is required.