Methods of Treatment/Remedies Against Covid
Ever since covid hit the entire globe, medical authorities have been using all kinds of measures to prevent it from spreading and keep people away from hospitals. However, after two years, finding a solution against covid has proven to be a big challenge. Here in the Philippines, the number of cases per day has increased to five digits already. And the only solution the government has come up with is to contain people's movements by using the letter codes, ECQ, GCQ, MECQ. Each has a set of guidelines that must be observed by people as they observe each coded status. However, people have been innovative in dealing with the virus and some of them have resorted to the following methods of treatment.
Steam Inhalation
Hardly an innovation but this is an age-old method of treatment, although seldom done because of prevalence of medical institutions and medical professionals. Inhaling steam or steaming believing that it will prevent a person from catching the covid virus is an age-old practice performed against common colds and upper respiratory tract infections. Traditionally, and during the times when medical doctors were scarce, people in the remote areas would practice boiling herbal plants and inhaling steam whenever they suffer common colds and other respiratory ailments.
Sunlight Exposure
Some find the idea of exposing oneself to morning sunshine to be beneficial and helpful in fighting covid. It should be stressed that it is 'morning' sunshine, not mid day sun because that will not be beneficial at all. In fact, the mid day sun will cause skin irritation, sun burn, or worse, skin cancer. However, some firmly think that sun exposure can make the immune system stronger or it can increase Vit. D. which is an essential vitamin for the body.
Medicine Intake
REMDESIVIR
According to survivors of the worst kind of covid, they were administered different kinds of medicines while in the hospital. One is remdecivir, a broad spectrum antiviral medication that is administered by injecting into the vein. Originally created to treat hepatitis and other viruses like ebola, it later was used for post-infection treatment for covid-19. The most common side effect of this medicine is nausea as well as increase in blood levels of liver enzymes.
DEXAMETHASONE
Another medicine administered to those patients who were in ventilators (severe and critical conditions) is the dexamethasone. It belongs to a drug group called corticosteroids. It reduces your immune system's responses to certain diseases in order to prevent the appearance of symptoms like swelling and allergic-reactions. It is used to prevent immune system disorder and breathing problems.
IVERMECTIN
Lately, we've been hearing a lot of this potential medicine that can treat covid infection. This is the anti-parasitic drug that is used for animals, the ivermectin. I have heard many stories regarding this miraculous anti-parasitic drugs. Many critical covid-victims took a 15mg tablet of this and their condition improved fast, thus saving themselves from the grim reaper. Even though Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the US President have repeatedly denounced usage of this, many doctors are still prescribing ivermectin for prophylactic purposes only. Most of the users are covid-19 patients who are not hospitalized. If you ever decide to use ivermectin, be aware that you can also overdose if not taken properly. You might suffer from hypotension, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, coma, and worse, death.
Tocilizumab
This drug is fully supported by WHO for covid-19 however, it seems unaffordable and inaccessible to most countries as of now. There is not enough supply that's why it still unaffordable.
Tocilizumab treatment is effective in reducing the mortality of severe COVID-19 patients. Tocilizumab is the first marketed IL-6 blocking antibody through targeting IL-6 receptors and has proven its safety and effectiveness in therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Tocilizumab is a product of Roche and has been called upon by the MSF or Doctors Without Borders to lower the price or share the know-how with other manufacturers so that it will be more accessible to more patients and to ensure supply during this pandemic time.
Treatments are always available but we should do our best not be afflicted with the virus. We should observe minimum protocol in order not to get infected and have to resort to these treatments that may work with our system or not. Maintain physical distancing, wear face mask and face shield, and wash hands more often.
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