What are the available treatment options for COVID-19?
Although there are several options available, and one
may ask which on is the best option – the answer is it depends on how sick someone
is. For example, dexamethasone, which is a steroid, can lower the risk of
fatality for severely ill patients. However, they may do the exact opposite for
those who are only mildly sick or infected.
There are no treatments that are specifically approved
for COVID-19 infection; however, a few have been authorized for emergency use
and several more are being considered as potential treatment where required. A
panel of experts gathered by the National Institutes of Health updates
guidelines as new studies come out.
The following are what’s advised for various COVID-19
patients:
For Not hospitalized or hospitalized but
not needing extra oxygen: No specific drugs
recommended, and a warning against using steroids.
For Hospitalized and needing extra oxygen
but not a breathing machine: The antiviral drug
remdesivir, given through an IV, and in some cases also a steroid.
For Hospitalized and on a breathing
machine: Remdesivir and a steroid.
How about the convalescent plasma? A convalescent
plasma is an infusion of blood from a COVID-19 survivor that contains
antibodies that fight the virus? Unfortunately, not enough is known to recommend
for or against it this treatment, according the guidelines that was released.
On the other hand, experts advised the use of
hydroxychloroquine and other certain drugs that affect the immune system,
multiple studies have shown that using these drugs are deemed ineffective in
fighting against the coronavirus.
The doctors, have learned more about ways to treat
hospitalized COVID-19 patients, such as putting them on their bellies and other
measures that may prevent the need for breathing apparatus.