Coronavirus cure in the form of vaccines and treatment options for COVID-19 is currently being investigated throughout the world.
If you’re reading this article, you probably are looking for the coronavirus cure for either yourself or someone else. We do not have the coronavirus cure yet, but, we can tell you about the current treatment options under investigation and preventive measures you can observe to stay safe.
In December 2019, a new coronavirus was discovered after an outbreak in Wuhan, China. And, this is the cause of the infectious disease we all know as COVID-19 today.
Furthermore, since the first outbreak, this coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, has spread to a lot of countries around the world. Again, it has been responsible for millions of infections globally which has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. The most affected country in the world is the United States.
As at this time, there’s no coronavirus cure or vaccine to fight against the novel coronavirus. Currently, researchers are working on creating a vaccine for this virus specifically, as well as potential treatments for COVID-19.
Older adults and those with underlying health conditions have very high chances of experiencing symptoms caused by this disease. A lot of people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 may go through:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
To learn more about the current treatment options for COVID-19, what types of treatments are being explored, and what to do if you develop symptoms, keep reading!!!
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What Type of Treatments Are Available In Place of A Coronavirus Cure?
Currently, there is no coronavirus cure or vaccine against the developing COVID-19. Also, since COVID-19 is a viral infection and not bacterial, antibiotics are ineffective.
Furthermore, if you have more severe symptoms, there are supportive treatments that may be given to you by your doctor or at a hospital. This type of treatment may involve the following:
- fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration
- medication to reduce a fever
- supplemental oxygen in more severe cases
In addition, some people may have a hard time breathing on their own due to COVID-19. Such kind of people may need a respirator.
What Is Currently Being Done To Find The Coronavirus Cure?
All over the world, there are ongoing investigations on vaccines and treatment options for COVID-19. There is some evidence that certain medications may have the ability to be effective with regards to preventing illness or treating symptoms of COVID-19.
However, according to the CDC, researchers need to carry out randomized controlled trials in humans before potential vaccines and other treatments can become available. But, this may take several months or even a longer period.
There are some treatment options that are currently under investigation for protection against SARS-CoV-2 and treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. Here are some of them:
Remdesivir
To begin with, Remdesivir is an experimental broad-spectrum antiviral drug originally designed to target Ebola.
According to an article by nature.com, researchers have found that Remdesivir is very effective in fighting the novel coronavirus in isolated cells.
Furthermore, this treatment is not yet approved in humans. However, two clinical trials for this drug have been implemented in China. Also, recently, one clinical trial was also approved by the FDA in the United States.
Lopinavir and Ritonavir
Under the name Kaletra, Lopinavir and ritonavir are being sold. They are designed specifically to treat HIV.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a 54-year-old man was given a combination of these two drugs in South Korea. It turns out he had a significant reduction in his levels of the coronavirus.
In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there could be benefits to using Kaletra in combination with other drugs.
Chloroquine
To begin with, Chloroquine is a drug that’s used to fight malaria and diseases that are autoimmune. For more than 70 years, it has been in use and is considered safe according to nature.com.
According to researchers who carried out studies in test tubes, this drug is effective for fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus and might be the coronavirus cure we’re looking for in the world today.
Furthermore, a minimum of 10 clinical trials are currently looking at the potential use of chloroquine as an option for combating the novel coronavirus according to nature.com.
APN01
According to pipelinereview.com, a clinical trial is set to start soon in China. The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the potential of a drug called APN01 to fight the novel coronavirus such that the vision of getting a coronavirus cure can be achieved.
APN01 was first developed by scientists in the early 2000s and they discovered that a certain protein called ACE2 is involved in SARS infections. Also, this protein helped to protect the lungs from injury due to respiratory distress.
Again, from recent research, it turns out that the 2019 coronavirus, like SARS, also uses the ACE2 protein to infect cells in humans.
This randomized, dual-arm trial will take a look at the effect of the medication on 24 patients for 7 days. Half of the individuals participating in this trial will get the APN01 drug, while the other half will be given a placebo. If encouraging results are obtained, larger clinical trials will be carried out.
Favilavir
According to upi.com, China has approved the use of the antiviral drug favilavir to treat symptoms of COVID-19. Initially, this drug was developed to treat inflammation in the nose and throat.
The results of the study haven’t been released yet. However, the drug has supposedly shown to be effective in treating COVID-19 symptoms in a clinical trial of 70 people. It could be the coronavirus cure, who knows?
What You Should Do If You Think You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
To begin with, not everyone with a SARS-CoV-2 infection will feel ill. It is even possible that people may even contract the virus and not develop symptoms. In cases where there are symptoms, they’re usually mild and tend to come on gradually.
Furthermore, it appears that COVID-19 seems to cause more serious symptoms in older adults and people with underlying health conditions, like chronic heart or lung conditions.
Thus, if you think you have coronavirus symptoms (COVID-19), follow this protocol:
1. Monitor How Sick You Are.
The first thing you should do is ask yourself how likely it is that you came into contact with the coronavirus. If it turns out that you live in a region that has had an outbreak, or if you’ve recently traveled abroad, you may be at a high risk of exposure.
2. Speak With Your Doctor.
Make sure you get in touch with your doctor if you have mild symptoms. Many clinics are encouraging people to call or use live chat instead of coming into a clinic. They’re doing this to reduce the transmission of the virus.
The first thing your doctor will do is to evaluate your symptoms. Also, he will work with local health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine if you need to be tested.
3. Stay Home.
Stay at home and get as much rest as much as you can if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or another type of viral infection. Make sure you stay away from other people and avoid sharing items like drinking glasses, utensils, keyboards, and phones with them. This so you the spread of the disease can be curbed.
4. Stay Isolated.
After getting tested, the next line of action is to stay in isolation. Plan to isolate yourself at home until your infection clears up.
Furthermore, try to stay separated from other people in your home. Use a separate bedroom and bathroom if you can.
5. Seek Care.
Lastly, if your symptoms become worse, get immediate medical care. Make sure to call ahead before you arrive at a clinic or hospital. If available, wear a face mask.
When Should You Seek For Medical Care?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80 percent of people recover from COVID-19 without the need for hospitalization or special treatment.
Furthermore, if you’re young and healthy with only mild symptoms, your doctor will likely suggest that you isolate yourself at home and to reduce contact with others in your household. Also, you will likely be advised to rest, stay well hydrated, and to monitor your symptoms closely.
Then, if you’re an older adult and have any underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system, make sure to contact your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. Your doctor will suggest to you the best course of action you should take.
Again, if your symptoms get worse with home care, it’s very necessary that you get medical care immediately. Get in touch with your local hospital, clinic, or urgent care to let them know you’ll be coming in, and wear a face mask once you leave your home. Additionally, you can call 911 for immediate medical attention.
How To Avoid Infection From The Coronavirus
It is very important to note that the novel coronavirus is mainly transmitted from person to person. At this point, avoiding being around people who have been exposed to the virus is the best way to prevent getting infected.
In addition, according to the CDC, you can take the following precautions to reduce your risk of infection:
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if the soap isn’t available.
- Try to avoid touching your face unless you’ve recently washed your hands.
- Stay away from individuals who are coughing and sneezing. The CDC recommends that you stand at least 6 feet away from anyone who appears to be sick.
- Stay away from crowded areas as much as you can.
Also, older adults are at the highest risk of infection. Thus, they may want to take extra precautions to avoid coming into contact with the virus.
17 Great Preventive Measures For Coronavirus
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