Karnataka: After 5-day stay, 115-year-old Kolar man leaves hospital cured of infection

BENGALURU: The pandemic has not been kind, especially to the elderly, but doctors at St John’s Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru are in awe of G Muniyappa, 115, from Kolar district, who overcame a Covid-19 infection with barely a flap. He is easily among the oldest in Karnataka to have overcome the infection, doctors said.
Muniyappa, born in 1906 in Ramasandra near Hoskote, developed fever in mid-July and was taken to a hospital in Kolar.He had not yet taken the vaccine and a Covid test confirmed he was infected. The family decided to bring him to Bengaluru for treatment and he was admitted in St John’s hospital on July 22. He was discharged five days later.
“I have no health problems. With God’s grace I am fine. I am able to read the Bible every day as always,” Muniyappa told TOI. He was in his early teens when the Spanish flu pandemic hit the country early in the 20th century. He recalled that people fled villages for 3-4 months fearing the flu.
“He is probably the oldest man in Karnataka to have recovered from Covid,” said Dr Kiron Varghese, professor and head of cardiology, St John’s Medical College Hospital. Dr Varghese had conducted an angioplasty on Muniyappa in 2014. “A vast majority get a mild infection of Covid. He does not have diabetes, although he is on blood thinners and cholesterol lowering medication.”
Given his mild infection, Muniyappa didn’t require ICU admission but he had fever and suffered a urinary infection. He was admitted to the Covid ward and the experience was very different to the previous time he was in hospital — he could not have his sons around to take care of him. Muniyappa felt isolated and yearned to go home, although his sons visited him wearing PPE and adhering to Covidappropriate norms.
Muniyappa, who is from a farmer’s family, has six children, and his wife Nanjamma is 100 years’ old now. He comes from a family where many are blessed with longevity. His father lived to be 95 and mother 85. Family members say Muniyappa’s elder brother Kempanna lived to be 110. Muniyappa’s Aadhaar card shows his date of birth as 1906. He was in his mid-40s when he got married.
Dr Divya Ann Jacob, senior resident, department of medicine, said comorbidities are a risk factor in many elderly Covid-19 patients. But it was the case for Muniyappa.
“Lots of cardiac and other patients hesitate to come to hospital when they are breathless or sick, fearing Covid. This has led to many patients landing up in hospitals late. Muniyappa came to the hospital at the right time and he is an example to others,” Dr Varghese said, adding that late presentation has led to major complications in several cases.
However, a healthy lifestyle and good general health helped Muniyappa recover. “He is fine at home. He has maintained good health throughout. What affected Muniyappa was that his sons could not be with him as relatives are not allowed in the Covid ward. He felt isolated and wanted to go home,” said Dr Varghese. Muniyappa had also undergone an eye surgery in 2015 in the same hospital.
Krishnappa M, Muniyappa’s son, told TOI that they did not inform his father about his Covid infection. “He had heard a lot about Covid, but when he tested positive, we did not tell him he was infected to avoid anxiety and fear. It was tough for him to stay alone in the hospital, but he recovered well.” He said his father was active and used to cycle to their farmland until four years ago.