4964

Yeah, I’ve been wanting to watch the whole series from the start, but haven’t done so yet.

4965

Looking through the article below, one of these news items from Australia is very interesting regarding treatment.

Australian Researchers Testing Two Drugs as Potential ‘Cures’ for the Virus

At the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, scientists have found that two different medications—both of which are registered and available in Australia—have completely wiped out traces of the disease in test tubes.

Not only that, the drugs were given to some of the nation’s first COVID-19 patients, which resulted in “disappearance of the virus and complete recovery from the infection,” researchers told News.com.au.

4966

It isn’t the cure I’m looking for.

It’s how it can be labeled and prescribed as such by public health organizations.

A drug therapy that has to be applied immediately at the onset of symptoms is promising, but I would imagine they’re looking for something more effective on more advanced stages.

4967

The Australian treatment they’re testing is the one mentioned in espressojim’s post – it’s the two HIV retrovirals with an anti-malarial.

4968

I’d prefer them to call it an effective treatment or a vaccine when we get to either or both of those. I think the not healthcare public will get the wrong idea if our President stands up there and says no worries now, we have a cure. And then people die despite having a “cure” available.

4969

The one mentioned in espressojim’s post is a new Japanese anti-flu drug.

4970

I did a bit of research. Tamiflu, Oseltamivir, is surprisingly considered potentially helpful against COVID-19 if used in combination with Kaletra (Lopinavir / Ritonavir) – no controlled studies, based on a anecdotal case reports. But there is apparently a plausible mechanism and it’s being looked at now more seriously. I can’t find any evidence it helps or hurts by itself though.

That said, if it is confirmed to be safe, and you weren’t sure you have regular flu or COVID, it would treat the regular flu.

4971

What makes the seasonal flu manageable is that a large chunk of the population does not need medical attention at once - either due to how badly it affects people, existing immunity (from vaccine or similar exposure) or that the infection rate is slow.

If everyone in the country got the normal flu over a three month period, we’d treat it as a pretty severe threat - it would crush health care systems.

4972

You are correct, though it would be easier to mobilize a scenario. We already have extremely fast flu tests and we already have antivirals. You really could drive up, take a test, go home with Tamiflu or whatever.

4973

This trial above is the trial mentioned below.

4974

Thanks for the info and answers, Quaro and others. Don’t worry, I’d check with my doctor. Qt3 is the best source for advice on Two Point Hospital, not actual Hospital.

4975

The Australian study used an old HIV drug and the article didn’t name which one it was. The other study looks like a combination of 2 newer HIV drugs so clearly these are different studies.

4976

That article links to the others, and specifically mentions the drugs:

Professor Paterson said it wouldn’t be wrong to consider the drugs a possible ‘treatment or cure’ for the deadly respiratory infection.

He explained that when the HIV medication lopinavir/ritonavir was given to people infected with the coronavirus in Australia it led to the ‘disappearance of the virus’.

Those two retrovirals are given in combination with an anti-malarial, chloroquine.

4977

So… he may be right, or may be crazy? But he just may be the lunatic we’re looking for?

4978

Would be nice to know how many of these people end up on ventilators.

4979

Stupid lack of like buttons…

4980

It’s not always so manageable but at least it doesn’t hit the entire world or an entire country at once.

4981

Grrr. This is why governments should be closing things down, not “suggesting” people not go out. People are morons.

4982

That was Outbreak.

4983

Apparently, in the UK, if the government orders businesses to close then they have to pay benefits, or something like that*. And we know the one thing right-wing governments hate most is paying benefits.

* (I’ll admit I’m fuzzy on the details).