Doctor Shares His COVID‑19 Home Recovery Story—Trying to Break the Stigma
Dr Lai Kah‑Weng, a consultant orthopedic surgeon at Healthway Medical’s Island Orthopedic Consultants, took to Facebook on Friday to narrate his COVID‑19 journey from symptom onset to full recovery. “I just want to say this stuff can happen to anyone,” he typed, hoping to ease the fear that still hangs around the name “COVID” in Singapore.
When the Sneeze Started…
It all began on 27 September when Dr Lai developed a runny nose and a mild fever—classic flu‑ish signs. He swiped the “quick test” that very day, got a negative result, and decided to stay away from his wife and four kids. “Better safe than sorry,” he told The Straits Times.
Putting in the Work‑Flow
By the next morning, the symptoms persisted: a steady cough, a sulky nose, and the dreaded fever that lingered for over three days. He canceled all patient appointments for the day, rested, and made a last‑minute trip to his neighbourhood GP to be the final patient before closing—so his family didn’t get caught up in a chain of exposure.
The Real Confirmation
“I had about a 3.5‑day fever and a dry cough that lasted a bit longer than normal. Thankfully it improved day by day,” Dr Lai said.
He then got a positive rapid test and a definitive PCR test. He openly recommends that anyone with worsening symptoms get checked by their telemedicine support for careful monitoring.
Family Matters: The 15‑Year‑Old Twist
Fast‑forward to the next week: Dr Lai’s 15‑year‑old daughter—fully vaccinated—tested positive via PCR, though she showed no symptoms. Most likely she snagged it from her dad. “It caused her whole school class to be on leave,” he admitted—no other family members got the bug.
Testing Strategy & Policy Reflections
He’s hopeful the new Singapore guidelines—automatic 10‑day discharge for fully vaccinated patients instead of a 7‑day PCR test—will simplify the process. “Even if I’m one of the last to use the old protocol, I’m lucky to have a smoother new one!” he joked.
He’s also wary of mass quarantine orders that could shackle 10 % of the population—an impractical and disruptive move. “Let’s focus on high‑risk workers, nursing homes, and those who’re most vulnerable,” he reminded.
What He Envisions Moving Forward
Contact tracers should hone in on elderly connections and nursing homes first, while caregivers who must move into self‑isolation should get the support they need—whether it’s grocery deliveries or grocery shopping help. “We need to keep everyone from falling through the cracks,” he stressed.
Dr Lai’s headlines are: Test when symptomatic; be mindful of who has to self‑isolate; keep the virus away from our elders. He’s hoping these new measures will give us a clearer, less stressful way to manage COVID‑19 cases in the future.
— Written originally for The Straits Times.
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