Iranian woman on recovery from virus

To Mona Pasha, 28, being at home with her family is more special than ever, after a long and difficult recovery from the new coronavirus.

"The symptoms were headache, severe fever and chills, muscle pain and bad coughs," she said.

She started to feel the symptoms in early march, and was so scared when she was transferred to a special hospital where COVID-19 patients were sent.

Pasha said it was the nurses that gave her the courage and confidence to fight the virus.

The virus was much harder to overcome than the flu with a much longer recovery period, Pasha said.

"I ask the people to take this virus very seriously, and disinfect their hands with sanitizers and alcohol, and always use gloves and masks," she added.

Iran is battling the most severe coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East.

The country has confirmed 47,593 cases and 3,036 deaths from the virus.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

But for others, especially older adults and people with health problems, it can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia and lead to death.