Coronavirus Treatment
February 10, 2020 | Farah Jassawalla

Coronavirus Treatment

اردو میں پڑھیں 

Coronavirus has been a recent focus of the World Health Organization and governments around the world, as people fear that the world could be facing a massive epidemic. Although the coronavirus is not a new type of virus, as it was discovered in the 1960s, new and more lethal versions of the virus have been discovered over the last twenty years. Among these types of coronaviruses are the deadly SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and now the new 2019 n-CoV. The outbreak of SARS-CoV (2004 in China) and MERS-CoV (2012 in Saudi Arabia) were successfully contained and stopped, but the 2019 n-CoV has been rapidly spreading to different parts of China and other East Asian countries. The 2019 n-CoV is known to be highly contagious as it can spread through 3 feet of air with the virus or an infected person and by hand contact with a person or surface that contains the virus. The virus causes respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia. Among elderly people, it can cause more serious diseases like cancer or sclerosis, hence making the disease quite fatal. Despite knowing all this, this 2019 n-CoV is still a new form of coronavirus, and health experts do not know much about the virus yet.

What are the treatment methods?

Currently, there are no specific treatment methods that can cure coronavirus, and neither are there any officially approved vaccines that can protect people against the virus. Some pharmaceutical companies and drug labs have declared that they have medicines or vaccines that can treat coronavirus, but results have shown their effects are inconclusive. Many labs and governments around the world are trying to grow and test the virus so that vaccines and medications can be created to fight the 2019 n-CoV. Despite this, hospitals with coronavirus patients are being treated to fight off symptoms of coronavirus and cure any further diseases the virus causes, while keeping the patients in isolation and quarantine.

Treatment for respiratory-related coronavirus

Approximately 25% of patients with coronavirus are in severe conditions, whereby they have respiratory illnesses like pneumonia-causing their lungs to swell. Painkillers are given to avert pain, and breathing support through oxygen masks or ventilators is provided. This treatment method has helped reduce the death count significantly, and patients who recover from the virus using this treatment method get better quickly.

Treatment for other symptoms

Other common symptoms of coronavirus include fever, coughing, muscle pain, diarrhea, and sore throat. These symptoms are separately treated using various painkillers to alleviate pain and other medications or diet changes.

HIV Drugs for treatment

There has been plenty of buzz surrounding two HIV drugs known as 'lopinavir' and 'ritonavir'. When the SARS-CoV outbreak happened in China during 2004, these two drugs were used to treat the coronavirus successfully; thus, Chinese officials believe both the drugs may be helpful in treating the 2019 n-CoV. As a result, research is being done to trial run these drugs and determine if they are effective in treating the 2019 n-CoV.

Outlook

The coronavirus has put many countries on high alert since the virus is contagious and fatal to some extent, but a few treatment methods are helpful in bolstering recovery. As of now, respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, subsequent diseases, and other symptoms caused by the coronavirus are being treated. Yet, there is no specific treatment method, medication, or vaccine that can completely stop or cure the virus. Drugs and vaccines for coronavirus are currently in the development phase – it could take months for them to be fully developed and tested, and a year or two before they get approved for distribution. Therefore, it is best that you take measures and precautions to avoid catching the coronavirus.

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Farah Jassawalla

Farah Jassawalla is a graduate of the Lahore School of Economics. She is also a writer, and healthcare enthusiast, having closely observed case studies while working with Lahore's thriving general physicians at their clinics.