Shrenu Parikh on fighting Covid-19: I'm recovering well from the Virus; It can happen to anyone!

Actress Shrenu Parikh who was recently tested Covid-19 positive has been discharged from the hospital. The Actress is under total isolation in her home and is fighting the virus.  

Shrenu spoke to us at India Forums where she opened up on her health, her state of mind, time spent at the hospital and much more. 

1. How’s your health right now and how are you recovering from the virus?

I'm good, I'm recovering. However, even now there is persistent coughing that happens when I talk a lot. I'm recovering well from the virus. 

2. What symptoms were you facing and when did you realise that it's time to get tested?

I had almost all the symptoms and I think it took me like 2-4 days to realise that yes, this is corona and I must get tested. So I really want you guys to be observant while you're sick and not freakout even when there are no symptoms. It can happen to anyone. But I had cough, cold, weakness, sore throat, temperature and I lost my sense of smell. When I started losing my smell, that's when I realised that I need to go for a test. 

3.  What was your state of mind when you got to know that the reports are positive?

I was shocked, numb, for the longest time I didn't realise what has happened till the time I got admitted to the hospital. It took me hours and I was in denial till then that it can't happen to me. I mean I'm the last person to step out of the house and catch it. But it happened. 

4.  You getting discharged from the hospital is a relief for all your fans, family & friends but you're still positive and at home isolation. Are you worried or scared for your family?

Yes, so I was a little delayed in my responses and updates about my health because obviously I was too scared and I was hospitalized. But after that I made a point that I inform all my fans about my health and update them always. I've been very grateful to them, thankyou for all the prayers and wishes which is why I think my family is safe right now. It's because of your prayers. I'm scared of infecting them, that's why I strictly stay in the room and they keep the food outside and leave. I just take the plate and spray the sanitizer all over the table where they have kept the plate. I wash my own utensils and that's how my isolation life is right now. I feel bad for them, this was so uncalled for. 

5. Being in the hospital where no family member was around, doctors doing there job, was it scary to fight this virus alone?

I think this gets very important, because you're in the hospital, you're alone, you're fighting your own thoughts. Your negative thoughts and your sickness, all alone. I think that's where the hospital staff comes into the picture and I can't thank them enough because first of all I'm scared of needles, blood test and injections and alot of things. They were holding my hand and they have been there throughout. To keep me busy with the talks, to entertain me, making sure I eat well, asking me if I've taken bath, if they need to be around, they even used to get me chai when I used to crave for it at night. So I think they have been there as my family members, otherwise to live alone and fight the sickness is practically impossible. 

6.  What is keeping you positive and motivated in such times?

I won't lie but of course there are times when I have broken down. Everyone gets scared, I'm not a superhuman who always stays positive but of course with love and support of everyone, I think during these times when the news broke down, a lot of people who didn't even know me from the industry and otherwise have contacted me. Arti is one of them. Arti, Mahima, all these girl whom I don't even know, I've only admired Arti till now and I was a fan of her in Bigg Boss. They all have contacted me and have talked to me, I think at times it just helps and of course my family, friends and fans have been there throughout with me. Alot of my close friends knew about it, like Mansi, Surbhi knew about it from the moment I got my report. Alot of other people were also there and I think that's what keeps you sane and that's what keeps you human because there is kindness all around. I've been getting messages from all across the world. 

7. lastly, any words of advice that you would like to share with people with regards to taking the right precautionary measures?

Lastly, I'm just willing to share that it's okay, it happened and it can happen to anyone. It's not your fault. You don't need to fear or be ashamed because you also are a victim of it. But if you hide it then you would be wrong and sadly I've seen a lot of people doing that. I don't blame them, everyone gets scared and sadly it's taken as a stigma here. It's the fear around the disease that okay, what will people say, how did this happen, stay away from that person. But that is the need of the hour, there is nothing wrong in it. It doesn't mean that people don't care for it. 

If you have it then please say it and take the necessary steps, it's not mandatory that it has to be serious. You can also take the treatment at home but you should definitely take the medical treatment as soon as possible and inform all your near and dear ones so that even they can take the necessary steps as early as possible. You may get better but the person who have been infected by you may not. Sadly, I've experienced this indirectly so I'm saying this that don't hide it. 

Stay sanitised. Only get out of the house if it is absolutely necessary. Stay clean, keep washing your hands and keep having immunity boosters, that's all I want to say. 

We wish Shrenu a healthy and speedy recovery.