Table of contents:
- The future cure for the COVID-19 outbreak
- 1,024,298
- 831,330
- 28,855
- 1. Take antiviral drugs
- 2. Monoclonal antibodies
- Other drugs that have been used to treat COVID-19
The search for a cure for the COVID-19 outbreak which is now spreading has yet to find a bright spot. The reason is, the virus that causes it is a new type of coronavirus that has not been fully recognized. Researchers in various countries still need to study the characteristics of this virus before they can find the right drug.
Researchers have previously tried treating COVID-19 patients in a number of ways, from managing symptoms with intensive care to administering HIV drugs to prevent viral activity. Over time, they are now finding two methods that might be a cure for this epidemic.
The future cure for the COVID-19 outbreak
As of Thursday (20/2), the total number of COVID-19 cases has touched 75,727 people. Of these, 45,103 patients experienced mild symptoms, 12,063 patients were in critical condition, and 2,128 people were reported to have died. The number of cases is expected to continue to increase every day.
Viral infections can be very difficult to treat, but that doesn't mean they can't be cured. Like other viruses, the virus that causes COVID-19 also has weaknesses and this is what scientists around the world are looking for.
COVID-19 is caused by a new type of coronavirus with the official name SARS-CoV-2. This virus can trigger mild to severe respiratory problems, and cause death in susceptible groups or patients who already have previous illnesses.
1,024,298
Confirmed831,330
Recovered28,855
DeathDistribution MapUntil now, no vaccine or cure for COVID-19 has been found. However, scientists believe that there are two ways that can be done to beat viral infection, namely:
1. Take antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs work in two ways. Some antiviral drugs can stop important enzymes needed for the virus to multiply and infect cells. In addition, there are drugs that work by directly killing the virus.
Researchers have previously tried treating COVID-19 with an HIV drug called Aluvia. Aluvia is a combination of two HIV drugs, namely lopinavir and ritonavir. Regular drug consumption, plus inhaling alpha-interferon twice a day, has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms.
Researchers in China are now studying an experimental drug called remdesivir. This drug works by preventing the virus from multiplying and has previously been tested to treat Ebola as well Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
According to a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of USA, remdesivir has been shown to reduce symptoms of respiratory problems in rhesus monkeys that have been previously exposed to the coronavirus that causes MERS.
Meanwhile, other studies in The New England Journal of Medicine mentioned that a US citizen managed to recover from a COVID-19 infection after being given remdesivir. Remdesivir's potential as a COVID-19 drug still needs to be studied further, but this is a very promising finding.
2. Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are special proteins made from immune cells to treat certain diseases. This therapy is intended so that the patient's immune system can fight the germs themselves.
A number of biotech companies have tried experiments to make monoclonal antibodies using mice. They exposed mice to a virus similar to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
As a result, the mice exposed to the virus formed an immune response to fight the virus. The immune response that is formed is even more similar to that of humans than in mice.
Researchers will still need several weeks before they can harvest antibodies from mice and test them. However, monoclonal antibodies may be an effective remedy for COVID-19 because the patient's body can fight off viral infection on its own.
Other drugs that have been used to treat COVID-19
Aluvia and monoclonal antibodies are not the first methods tested to find a cure for COVID-19. Researchers in China have previously conducted experiments with a malaria drug called chloroquine.
Meanwhile, there is also another study that tested the blood serum of 300 recovered patients. This experiment is based on the theory that a person recovering from an infection has antibodies that can stop infection in new patients.
In other parts of China, there is also research involving stem cells. A research team from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University injected stem cells into 28 people and compared them to people who did not get the injection.
Until now, there have been more than 80 trials conducted around the world. Medicines and vaccines for COVID-19 may not be available quickly, but the proliferation of trials will increase the chances of finding drugs and vaccines.
The best step that can be done now is to take preventive measures such as washing hands properly, using masks, and maintaining personal hygiene. Everyone also needs to limit close contact with people who are sick to prevent transmission.
