Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that has claimed the lives of many people. It caused many changes in society; it impacted physically, emotionally, and most of all socially. The impact can be light or severe, depending on the severity of the diseases and the individual ability to cope with the disease. Although many died from this disease, many also survived.
Purpose: This study aims to explore the experiences of COVID-19 survivors. The results of this study can be used as actual information to all levels of society in understanding the COVID-19 phenomenon.
Methods: This study is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The population is COVID-19 survivors with 14 participants that have been selected by snowballing technique.
Result: Survivors of COVID-19 experience physiological, psychological, social and spiritual impacts. The treatment received by the survivors is based on the symptoms experienced and fluid therapy to maintain fluid balance for patients who do not have a good appetite, and as a course of injection drugs. Survivors received support and comfort from doctors, nurses, family, friends, co-workers, superiors, and even from students. It was also found that the survivors admitted that suffering from COVID-19 they experienced a closer relationship with their family, more care and attention. It was also found that there was a last request if the survivor died. Survivors express the meaning of life felt by survivors of COVID-19 as a bitter experience, and a second chance that must be used to as full an extent as possible. There were also recommendations from the survivors.
Conclusion: There were 19 categories e found and put into six themes, namely the impact of exposure to COVID-19, treatment and remedies, support and comfort, interpersonal relationships, will and the essence of life