Difficulty of breathing, sore throat, loss of taste buds and loss of smell. These are just few from the symptoms that Mark Ivan Liveta has experienced in battling against COVID-19 virus.

Last June 2020, Mark is confirmed positive in acquiring the virus. “Noong nalaman ko na positive ako, inisip ko agad mag isolate kasi ayoko na makahawa ng ibang tao.” From Pasay city where he is staying for work purposes, he immediately went to the nearest hospital from where his residential home (in Amadeo, Cavite) is located. “Halos thirteen days din ako noon sa Silang Specialist Medical Center. Maraming antibiotics kasi I was diagnosed as a person with Mild COVID-Moderate Pneumonia” he said. Bravely surviving not just from the virus but even from paranoia and anxiety, Mark also said that he deactivated his FB account and watch more positive and relevant news about his condition. “Kahit mahirap na mag isa ka lang sa facility ng ospital, naging hopeful pa rin ako” Mark added.

After being quarantined and taking some health medications, he was discharged from the hospital. “The moment I recovered, I thought of donating my plasma to those patients who are in critical condition. Pero di ko agad nai-donate.” Mark’s doctor told him that his plasma which contains antigen or the natural immunity that his body regulated from fighting the virus can only last for up to two or three months. “Noong nagkaroon ako ng chance to donate it sa mga severe patients, nag grab na ako ng opportunity. Kumbaga paying it forward for what God did for me. At dahil di rin naman natagal sa katawan ung antigen, inabangan ko talaga ung libreng bakuna.”

Mark believed that a COVID-19 survivor must get a COVID- 19 vaccine too because antigen or natural immunity is not enough to fight the virus. As he said, “Sabi ng doktor ko, mapalad ako na may flu and pneumonia vaccine ako bago magkasakit kaya naman di naging grabe ang virus sa katawan ko. And I had my 1^st dose recently pa rin kasi iba ung boost sa katawan natin nito.”

He ended up sharing his story by encouraging others, “Get vaccinated. This is the right time. Grab the opportunity now!”

Know more about COVID-19 survivor stories here