CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
A report by: By Jessica Knibbs [1] of Daily Express
AVOID USING THIS MEDICINE TO FIGHT THE VIRUS – ‘IT DOESN’T WORK’
CORONAVIRUS CASES ARE INCREASING DAILY, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE.
FOR THOSE WITH THE VIRUS, THE BEST TREATMENT WILL BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF
THEIR MIND, BUT LEADING HEALTH EXPERTS ADVISE AGAINST A CERTAIN MEDICINE
AS “IT DOESN’T WORK”.
WHAT IS IT?
Coronavirus is affecting the day-to-day life of people in many
countries.
The virus has led to the closure of workplaces and schools and the
banning of mass gatherings.
Currently, there’s no vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
Symptoms of the virus, named COVID-19, include having a new, persistent
cough and a high temperature. Researchers and leading scientists are
currently working on creating a vaccine specifically for this virus, as
well as potential treatments.
Regular hand washing and maintaining good hygiene seem to be the biggest
pieces of advice currently.
Dr Wladimir Alonso, a global health researcher at the National
Institutes of health in Bethasa said: “There are many opportunities in
between hand-washing episodes for people to re-contaminate their hands.”
This is why we are being told to avoid touching our faces, nose and
mouth.
In fact, touching the nose and mouth can cancel out the benefits of
washing hands regularly, according to a study published in the Journal
of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Apart from good hygiene, is there any medicine one could take to help
treat the virus and which medicine has been proven ineffective?
As COVID-19 is a viral infection and not bacterial, ANTIBIOTICS will not
work to protect against the deadly virus.
The NHS said: “There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
“Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the
illness.
You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have
recovered.”
Vaccines and treatment options for COVID-19 are currently being
investigated around the world.
Some current treatment options that are being investigated include
_remdesivir_ which is an experimental broad-spectrum antiviral drug
originally designed to target Ebola.
Researchers have found that remdesivir is highly effective at fighting
the novel coronavirus in isolated cells.
The treatment is not yet approved in humans, but two clinical trials for
this drug have been implemented in China.
Other treatments being investigated include chloroquine, lopinavir and
ritonavir and favilavir.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU MAY HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
* If a person suspects they may have symptoms of the deadly virus, its
advised to follow this protocol which includes:
* Gauge how sick you are and ascertain how likely it is that you came
into contact with the coronavirus
* Call your GP if you have mild symptoms to reduce transmission of the
virus
* Stay at home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and avoid sharing items
like drinking glasses, utensils, keyboards and phones
Links:
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[1] https://www.express.co.uk/journalist/122807/Jessica-Knibbs