No idea, but you might find this interesting: “Bolivian City Gives Out Free Doses of De-Worming Drug in Bid to Combat Coronavirus” https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/05/19/world/americas/19reuters-health-coronavirus-bolivia-drug.html
2 of my children have been taking Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for yrs. Ds started taking it when he was 20 (he’s now 30) and dd when she was 15 (she is now 21). Both have varying combos lupus/RA/sjogren’s. The only reaction either one has ever had is light sensitivity (as in burning easily).
With both kids when they were put on it, the drs said it was a long used drug with few side effects. That has been their experience.
No idea about the covid aspect, but if someone just asked me if I thought it was a dangerous drug with serious side effects, my answer would be not from our family has seen.
The dangers of Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) are well known; it can cause heart problems. People who take it are monitored for that side effect, and sometimes a person has to stop taking it. There are also some reported mental side effects, but I don’t think those would matter, if it was a good treatment for covid.
But apparently it is not. The latest reports for hydroxychloroquine for covid have been a disaster. It increased mortality, by a lot.
It’s probably too soon. One idea: “Repurposing Ivermectin to inhibit the activity of SARSCoV2 helicase” https://www.docdroid.net/5uHycKs/repurposing-ivermectin-to-inhibit-the-activity-of-sars-cov2-helicase-possible-pdf
Another idea, not COVID-specific: “The Broad Spectrum Antiviral Ivermectin Targets the Host Nuclear Transport Importin α/β1 Heterodimer” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32135219/
@deb922, it really isn’t my place to tell a relative what to do and how to mange their professional or financial life. I thought this thread was to talk about what is happening in medicine, which includes dentistry, in my mind.
These are the issues he’s facing. Before shutting down as advised by American Dental, he was having difficulty acquiring hydrogen peroxide for his patients to gargle with before he worked on them.
I’m sure finances are a factor in him continuing to work and he loves his profession and is excellent at it.
If Plaquenil is useful for Covid it may be as a preventive measure.
The people most at risk from serious illness with Covid are those with pre-existing conditions. Like heart disease. The ones who probably shouldn’t be taking Plaquenil.
@dentmom4, thanks. I was on the fence about going to my dental appointment in June when the dentist opens, but I now feel good about it.
@“Cardinal Fang” just ask your dental office about their new protocols. A good friend went for a cleaning the day her state opened. I asked her to report back since I knew what her state guidelines were, and she said only things different were no waiting room and temp check was done. No special mask, dentist wore no mask or jacket for exam, cavitron and polishing used. She was very glad to be there on the first day, rather than later. That dentist violated most of his state’s standards. That’s dangerous.
My dentist sent out a long list of protocols she will now be following, including “Introduce protocols to reduce or eliminate airborne aerosols during all dental procedures.”
Perfect.
@dentmom4 - our dentist sent us a very detailed letter about what to expect. Also, a negative Covid PCR test taken within 2 days of the appointment is required. The dentist has an agreement with a clinic that will provide the testing. I am still in no rush to get my teeth cleaned - staying out of the way of folks who are in much more urgent need.
@BunsenBurner. I am surprised you can actually get a test. That’s not available in my area. Appointment only at our hospitals and selected RiteAid stores; then you get triaged by a phone nurse. Symptomatic only or known contact through contact tracing will get a test. Anything else, you are asked to monitor your health.
I know, @dentmom4 ! I was surprised. Apparently, there are way fewer symptomatic people to be tested, so the testing capacity is there. Of all tests, in the last week or so, about 2-3% are coming back positive statewide based on what is being reported on our DoH website.
Covid damaged our health in other, yet unseen ways. Many stayed out of the hospitals and clinics, including this woman with a heart attack!
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/patients-are-delaying-care-at-what-price/
@BunsenBurner — is the test free or how much does it cost? In our state, can’t get tested unless symptomatic or a healthcare worker, last i heard.
In CT, testing is supposedly available at no cost to the person for anyone who goes to one of the testing places. Clearly, I won’t go until I need to…and I will for an elective surgery procedure in October. I’m sort of hoping that physician has some arrangement with some testing center when the time comes…as this has to be done with results received no more than 48 hours before the surgery.
$87 (I think) per test at the clinic identified in the letter. The clinic sends results directly to the dentist. Likely not covered by medical insurance.
Our state needs to test more folks. We are low on symptomatic CLI patients. Need to get that rate down by testing more.
Interesting:
European medical journals are reporting an increase in late miscarriages (4+ months) and fetal deaths among pregnant women who test positive for Covid-19. Pathology reports indicate that placentas are abnormally small and show other physical anomalies and are often filled with blood clots.
D2 reports she had an identical case this week. Normal pregnancy until week 34 when the fetus stopped moving. Fetus was delivered dead & non-revivable. Patient reported, when questioned, she had experienced typical Covid symptoms the previous week and patient tested positive for coronavirus. Pathology and other tests are in progress, but D2 reports the placenta looked abnormal at delivery.
At my telemedicine appointment today, my MD mentioned that MedCram.com is one of her favorite sources for Covid-19 info. @rjm2018 has mentioned the site previously in this thread. Roger Seheult, pulmonologist, creates much of the content. https://www.medcram.com/pages/instructors
It’s intended for health professionals, but the two videos I watched were accessible enough and certainly interesting. The Covid content is free, though you need to sign up for an account. The site has been posting lectures since March or February, so of course there’s a disclaimer about taking into account how quickly medical understanding of the disease is changing.
My MD suggested that I watch the lecture on NAC (N-acetylcysteine) and consider whether I want to take it as a supplement, as it’s thought to be effective in reducing the severity of respiratory infections.