Doctor who sang with joy after COVID-19 recovery gets virus anew

The joy of a doctor who had recovered from COVID-19 was cut short after she again tested positive for the virus a few days after she left the hospital.

According to Ivan Mayrina's report on "24 Oras," Dr. Karen Abat-Senen could not hide her joy and even posted a video of her singing on July 3, the day she went home after a month of confinement at the Philippine General Hospital.

However, a few day later, the doctor experienced worse symptoms.

"Umuwi siya, excited siya kasi 'yun nga babalik na siya sa mga anak niya tapos siguro two or three days, I think two days after nu'ng kaka-discharge pa lang niya, nakaranas ulit siya. Parang pneumonia-like symptoms that are severe," Job Abat, her brother, said.

"'Kala nila, pneumonia lang, so dinala ulit siya. They did the whole thing and she turned up positive again," he added.

On Monday, the doctor was placed on ventilator and had to be sedated.

Her family and fellow doctors were also confused why she was again hit with the virus a few days after recovery.

Results of a study from King's College London showed that the anti-bodies of those who have been infected with the COVID-19 are gone or decreasing.

Though there are no formal studies in the Philippines, this was proven due to the case of a patient who have recovered from the virus.

"After nagkaroon siya ng infection ng March and by this time nu'ng nag pa- bago mag July, nagpa-test siya nu'ng anti-bodies niya, and wala siyang makita. Negative na 'yung kanyang anti-bodies," Dr. Maricar Limpin, the Vice President of the Philippine College of Physicians, said.

"We cannot really say for sure na porke eto ay medyo gumaling-galing ka na ay talagang magaling na magaling ka na," she added.

As a neonatal pediatrician, Abat-Senen's dedication and love for her patients cannot be measured as she does her best to save them to the best of her ability.

Now, her family is the one reaching out to the public for an O positive convalescent plasma from those who have recovered from the virus to help her recovery.

"Makikita mo sa kanya kapag kwine-kwento niya 'yung passion. The passion to heal, the passion for the vocation of medicine," Abat said. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News