Covid-19 and the different treatments used
Since the beginning of the year 2020, the whole world is plagued by the coronavirus. This infectious disease, thanks to its rapid spread across the planet earth, has become a pandemic. To this end, it continues to cause millions of cases and several hundred victims worldwide. In spite of its progression, science has unfortunately not yet managed to find the adequate vaccine to annihilate its expansion.
However, there are several solutions that can help people with this condition while waiting for the vaccine to be developed.
What is the coronavirus ?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are pathogenic in humans and animals. Among them are severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome, respectively abbreviated as SARS and MERS. The latest to be discovered is Covid-19.
Focus on Covid-19
Still known as Coronavirus disease 2019, Covid-19 is a condition caused by a viral zoonotic infectious agent, the SARS-CoV-2 strain of coronavirus. The main symptoms of this disease are fever, cough, fatigue and respiratory problems. Its severe forms cause an acute respiratory distress syndrome which can be fatal in case of complication.
This is probably one of the reasons why the search for a treatment against COVID-19 is intensifying worldwide.
The genesis of this condition
When’When people talk about the origin of Covid-19, they look to one of the world’s largest powers, namely China. In fact, in November 2019, the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Wuhan. This city is rightly declared as the epicenter of this epidemic. The SARS-CoV-2 we are talking about comes from an animal called the pangolin.
Although this hypothesis remains to be proven by scientists, it is the most plausible one.
The means of prevention
At this time, no vaccine has been found to stop COVID-19. However, there are treatments that are known to be effective in treating people with the virus. However, as a prelude to the presentation of these solutions, it is essential to look at the measures to avoid contamination.
As a bonus, since the virus is respiratory, it is necessary to cover the nose with a FFP2 mask, surgical or alternative. Next, hands should be washed regularly with water and soap’water and soap or with hydroalcoholic gel. It is also important to cough into a handkerchief or the crook of your elbow.
Limiting travel and avoiding large gatherings are also ways to avoid contracting Covid-19. In addition to these solutions, you should keep a social distance of one meter, consult a health professional when you feel any of the symptoms of the coronavirus, and especially avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
What treatments for COVID-19 ?
While teams of scientists around the world are working daily to find an effective cure and vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, there are treatments that have proven to be effective in treating this disease.
The combination of hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin
Praised by Didier Raoult, infectiologist in Marseille, these 2 molecules, the first of which is an antimalarial drug that has been the subject of controversy, were at one time used to treat patients with COVID-19. This was because the results were encouraging. But, since the end of May, the High Council of Public Health has issued an unfavorable opinion on the prescription of chloroquine. The World Health Organization has suspended the clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine after the publication in the Lancet of the observational study.
The article in question mentions the risks of death and cardiac arrhythmia associated with this treatment.
Dexamethasone
Being an anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone is a form of cortisone aimed at reducing the inflammatory response in the lungs of advanced patients. Used by the United Kingdom, the WHO believes that this drug is a scientific breakthrough. Contrary to other treatments, it does not present a large number of side effects and has been shown to reduce the mortality of patients on ventilators by one third.
The avigan antiviral called favipiravir
If this drug has been successful in treating Ebola, it has also been used for the coronavirus. In China, clinical trials were conducted with Avigan and were found to reduce pneumonia symptoms and duration of illness to 4 days. However, in Europe as well as in the United States, this drug is not authorized because of its numerous side effects.