Doc gets COVID-19 four times, asymptomatic in last infection thanks to vaccine

A doctor in Cavite, who has tested positive for COVID-19 four times, shared her story in a report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday.

Dr. Jennifer Gaspar said she first got infected with the virus in April 2020 where she suffered from diarrhea and dyspnea or shortness of breath. She was confined in the hospital for almost two weeks.

In January 2021, she once again tested positive and was back in the hospital after experiencing cough and dyspnea.

Gaspar again tested positive in May where she experienced low back pain, headache, chills, fever, body malaise, and loss of taste and smell. Her symptoms later on developed to pneumonia and hypoxemia or abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood.

In June, she received her first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but before her scheduled second dose, her swab test turned out positive for the fourth time.

However, this time, she did not experience any symptoms at all.

"Hindi ako nahirapang huminga. Walang ubo o sipon. Personally, as a doctor din, naniniwala ako na mayroon pa ring naitulong kahit 'yong first dose lang ng vaccine sa akin," she said.

With this, Gaspar urged the public to get vaccinated as it prevents severe symptoms of COVID-19.

It can be recalled that the Philippine Vaccine Expert Panel has said all COVID-19 vaccines are effective, especially in real world conditions, and urged the public to get whatever brand's available. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News