COVID-19 & Health: Is There a Cure For The Coronavirus?
As of April 7, records have proven that over 1.5 million individuals have contracted the novel coronavirus across the world. With the alarming increase every day, it is no shock that humans are resorting to every means possible to stop this widespread pandemic from taking its complete toll on us all. But, is there a cure for the coronavirus?
Several medical associations and health organizations, in line with the WHO, UN and other outstanding operatives across the world have not been left out of this survival surge towards freedom from the malignant coronavirus.
Since the outbreak of the virus in December 2019, medical operatives have desperately doubled their speed in the hope to catch up with effective treatments and methods to combat this invisible enemy.
The United States of America has equally had its fair share of crisis, and it’s not left out of this global pandemic. As of the 9th day in April, The streets of America have become plagued with grief and desperation as the death toll supersedes 14,000 individuals where 1,858 died in a single day, plus a record that displays a total of over 434,114 who have become infected with the virus; making the country one of the highest hit in the history of the global pandemic.
Despite this desperation, and efforts by notable health communities across the globe to end this looming cloud of nightmare on the human race, there is no verified drug that can cure or prevent infection with the coronavirus. Even at this, people have become desperate and fed several delusional myths about solutions that may effectively combat the spread of the virus.
One of such unapproved solutions is with the hydroxychloroquine Drug. There is little evidence that the drug works to fight the coronavirus. However, despite this fact, the drug has been continually recommended by President Donald Trump without regard to continued warnings. These warnings have come from his own health officials, who have stated that there is little data or no data to support its widespread use as a treatment against the virus. Trump’s thoughts have surprisingly witnessed a lot of attention and acceptance from the masses as about 29 million doses had been donated from drug companies across the world, to be added to the national strategic stockpile in America; pillage of government medical reliefs for emergency keepsake.
In one of his briefings, Trump had urged Americans to take the drug, as taking uncertain prevention may be by far better than taking no prevention at all. In his own words;
“What do you have to lose? Take it”
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease doctor, has repeatedly warned that there is no conclusive evidence to support using the drug and that it should not be considered a treatment for COVID-19. This statement was given on March 24.
The wildfire spread of misinformation about the drug in spite of these clear medical indications and warnings, only displays the fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming situation of things in the States.
The hydroxychloroquine does not prevent the virus from weakening and entering the body.
What is The Hydroxychloroquine and Why was it Considered in The First Place?
The hydroxychloroquine Is a prescription medicine that treats Malaria. This drug had received approval by the Food and Drug Administration FDA, decades ago, and is also used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Fondly recognized as chloroquine or by its brand name, Plaquenil. A 2005 study has shown that chloroquine could abate the spread of the SARS-COV which is very relative and similar to the global coronavirus which is also called SARS-COV-2 which leads to the disease COVID-19.
At the time of the research in 2005, chloroquine was seen to be able to prevent a similar replication of the virus in the human cells. SARS-COV in 2002 had inspired an outbreak of acute respiratory syndrome, which is almost similar to SARS-COV-2 (Coronavirus).
Due to the research carried out in 2005, after the outbreak of SARS-COV, the idea emerged that the hydroxychloroquine could also be tested to prevent the contraction of the Coronavirus in 2020. Especially with individuals like the medical workers who are specifically vulnerable to the virus because of their exposure to sick individuals.
The cell culture of the coronavirus has proven that the drug hydroxychloroquine could also prevent replication in a similar way as was proven in 2005. Despite this, it is not new to discover that Drugs that may have been tested to be effective on Test Tubes and Petri Dishes may not necessarily yield the same result in the human body.
It is with this basis that the University of Minnesota Is studying to ascertain whether the drug can prevent people from living with infected Covid19 patients from contracting the virus as well. Several clinical trials have emerged in France, the USA, China, and South Korea to test this drug on both infected and uninfected individuals.
A recent study conducted in France also reveals that hydroxychloroquine was administered with an antibiotic called azithromycin. Reports state that the concentration of SARS-COV-2 fell significantly faster in study patients than other French hospitals who did not receive either drug. However, this French study has since been discredited: the scientific group that oversees the journal where it was published said that the study did not meet with appropriate standards as the research studies were carried out on a small group of individuals, and as such, research involving a small group of individuals with no control cannot determine whether a drug would have a positive effect on affected individuals, neither can we ascertain that the drug can help prevent contracting the COV-SARS-2.
Is The Hydroxychloroquine to be Administered to COVID-19 Patients?
So far, there’s been no significant proof that hydroxychloroquine drugs can help prevent the spread of the virus, neither is there any proof that it can serve as treatment. However, most hospitals are giving the drug to their patients as there is no other proven treatment, in the hope that it will help build their immune system against other illnesses. Over 200 Clinical trials and vaccine research including the BCG Vaccines for COVID-19 and several others have begun. it is only a matter of time before a proven cure would be approved.
Right now, it is solely not advisable to take the chloroquine drugs to prevent the virus except with proper prescription from your doctor who has a knowledge of your medical history. Administering pills after pills of hydroxychloroquine will not stop you from contracting the virus. Only social distancing, proper hand washing routines, and maintaining all quarantine measures as prescribed by the center for Disease control can help you from getting infected.
What Other Drugs are Being Tested Against The COVID-19?
- LOSARTAN: A Blood pressure drug.
- LOPINAVIR AND RITONAVIR (Kaletra): An HIV drug combination.
- ANTIVIRAL EID-2801.
- FAVIPIRAVIR OR AVIGAN: a Japanese flu drug
- REMDESEVIR: An Ebola Drug.
What’s The Current State In The US?
The future is seemingly bright. A model recently released on Thursday the 9th of April shows that fewer people will die from the coronavirus than earlier predicted. As the statistics have been lowered from 82,000 people to about 60,415 people.
All images are gotten from unsplash.com
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