Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and the common cold. The coronavirus currently responsible for the pandemic is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is called COVID-19 because of its outbreak in 2019 in Wuhan city of China. On March 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
Symptoms of signs of COVID-19 infection include:
- Loss of smell or loss of taste
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Runny nose
- Chest pain
The list is not exhaustive. Children may have similar symptoms to adults but they generally have mild illnesses. The severity of COVID-19 symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Older adults, and those with other co-morbid conditions, such as diabetics, heart patients, and cancer patients are at a higher risk of getting infected from COVID-19 due to their compromised immune response. They need to take extra care to keep themselves protected besides other standard precautions, such as frequently sanitizing hands, keeping social distance, avoiding touching objects, and surfaces used by other people also, such as lift buttons, staircases, etc. One should also wear masks while going outdoors.
Most people becoming ill with coronavirus disease or COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. However, if you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent chest pain, trouble breathing, inability to stay awake, pale, or blue-colored skin, these signal about emergency, and you should see a doctor right away. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has authorized the below drugs for the treatment of the people hospitalized with COVID-19.
Paxlovid
Interim study results by Pfizer in a press release in November 2021 showed a significantly reduced risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization and deaths compared to placebo. This protease inhibitor interferes with coronavirus’s capability to replicate. The prospect of oral antiviral Paxlovid is promising but it is not a substitute for getting vaccinated.
Fluvoxamine
The anti-depressant drug fluvoxamine falls under the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. The medication seems to work against COVID-19 by reducing inflammation, which is a hallmark of severe COVID infection.
Dexamethasone
Patients on ventilation and requiring supplemental oxygen are less likely to die within the first four weeks than those who do not get dexamethasone. It’s an anti-inflammatory drug and readily available.
Tocilizumab
FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of hospitalized adults. The medication is also approved for children aged 02 and above, and receiving systematic corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, and who are in need of mechanical ventilation, a heart-lung bypass machine, or supplemental oxygen.
Monoclonal antibodies
These antibodies are manmade versions of the antibodies that are naturally produced by our bodies to fight infections. Monoclonal antibodies have received emergency use authorization by the FDA for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients aged 12 years and older with mild to moderate symptoms, and who have tested positive for COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies can also be used in combination of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, to reduce the response of the immune system in seriously hospitalized patients.
Get your custom health insurance plans Chronic diseases, such as COVID-19, heart and lung disease, kidney diseases, and other medical conditions may require expensive treatment costs. The better option would be to get a health insurance so that you can bear the costs of your treatment. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to keep your employees protected from illnesses. Besides keeping your premises sanitized, you may also offer health insurance to your employees. With CVS copay optimization, the PrudentRx tool may assist you in lowering treatment costs and helping you design the ideal insurance plan for your staff members. PrudentRx drug list and PrudentRx FAQs have more information for you that you may find useful to get the best health insurance plan for your employees.