Health Enthusiast Who Survived Coronavirus Lost 62 Pounds After 25 Days On Ventilator

A fit athlete who does not miss training and running obstacle courses spent 25 days on a ventilator due to coronavirus. The once robust 40-year-old lost 62 pounds after spending almost a month in the ICU because of COVID-19.

The Health Buff

Ahmad Ayyad is a fit athlete who ran marathons, engages in boxing, and would easily take on obstacle courses. Despite his healthy physique, still contracted coronavirus.

In a statement released from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, Ayyad revealed that every year, he would get the flu. He went on explaining that he would be under the weather for two to three days, and then he would get better.

With COVID-19, however, Ayyad said that it was different. “This is not the flu. People need to be careful and know that it can happen to anybody,” said the recovered patient.

Dr. Sandra Zaeh, a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Johns Hopkins, stated that Ayyad had no reason why he would be at a higher risk than anyone. She went on to explain that there may be factors that are not yet fully understood.

Travel History

Ayyad traveled to Florida for three days in early March. Thereafter, he had a fever on the 11th and started to get weak. Among the symptoms that he experienced were loss of appetite, sneezing, and coughing.

Initially, the fitness enthusiast thought that he had the flu. After four days, however, he experienced breathing difficulties and did not have the strength to walk or drive.

Being too weak, the 40-year-old took an Uber and proceeded to the Sibley Memorial Hospital. There, his coronavirus test turned out positive. When his condition worsened, he was moved to Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Losing Weight

At Johns Hopkins, he was placed in a medically induced coma for 25 days. All that Ayyad remembered when he woke up was the realization that his arms, legs, and muscles were gone. He told CNN that he was freaking out at that point.

From 215 pounds, he dropped to 153 pounds in a matter of three weeks. His parents were even told that he might not make it through, but they had faith and believed that Ayyad was a fighter.