Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Antivirals are used to treat viral infections.
So how can an antibiotic and antiparasitic drug possibly treat a viral infection?
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINEatient not having a fever ot asny discolored drainge, the hallmarks of infiction., also known as PLAQUENIL is a drug primarily used to treat Malaria, caused by a tiny parasite known as a protozoan which invades red blood cells. In Malaria, it acts by inhibiting the parasite from releasing toxic substances, inhibiting its invasion of the cells and by dampening our immune response to the parasite. It’s immune modulating effects are also why it is used to treat autoimmune diseases like Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In COVID-19, it is proposed to inhibit viral entry into cells, impair viral maturation as well as dampen out over exuberant immune/inflammatory responses, aka the cytokine storm. It can also have serious side effects, especially in the heart where it can cause significant rhythm abnormalities, which can lead to heart attacks. Other side effects include GI effects like nausea and vomiting. It is still not clear how effective against covid but it is but it is clear that it can cause damage.
Just as an aside, clinical studies looking at efficacy of drugs to treat CoVid are VERY uncoordinated, not only on a national level but on a worldwide level. It seems like everyone is doing their own thing, looking at small groups of patients. There are over 90 ongoing studies looking at hydroxychloroquine alone in the US. The more patients are enrolled in a study, the more reliable the results and greater the statistical significance will be but to get everyone on the same page is unfortunately bogged down by red tape, regulations, pride and greed.
AZITHROMYCIN, also known as Zithromax, is a commonly over-prescribed antibiotic to treat bacterial infections but it also has a significant immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory effect. Almost every day I see a patient who tells me that their doctor put them on Zithromax “just in case” for a “sinus infection” despite not having a fever or discolored mucus, the hallmarks of infecion. 90% of these patients are having migraines and the antibiotic is not helping because it is killing bacteria but because it is decreasing inflamation and helping the headache!🤯
Zithromax does not appear to directly impact the virus itself (again, it’s an antibiotic, not an antiviral!). It dampens our immune response to make the “cytokine storm” less significant. Zithromax also can have significant side effects. First of all, it impacts on gut health by killing the good bacteria. Our gut is where 80% of our immune function is located. It too is associated with potential cardiac rhythm problems.
Evidence of the efficacy of these drugs in treating Covid infections is limited and there is certainly NO evidence that taking them preventatively is of benefit. As I mentioned in a previous post, taking the drugs unnecessarily has resulted in shortages so those who really need them are not able to get them.
There are numerous other drugs being tested in hundreds of trials, again, without much coordination between hospital systems, states and countries. Drugs looking at killing or slowing down the virus as well as treating or dampening the overwhelming inflammatory response which is what is really killing most people.
For now, your best bet is to NOT TO GET INFECTED by:
- isolation and social distancing if necessary.
- If you MUST go out, wear a mask and social distance but LIMIT excursions to only absolutely necessary ones.
- Stop touching your face
- Wash your hands well and use hand sanitizers
In the meantime, work on improving your health so that if you do, you have a better chance at recovering faster.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables, the best sources of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Fresh, canned, frozen, they are all good. They are also the ONLY source of fiber which is the most important factor in keeping your gut healthy and 80% of our immune function is in the gut!
- Limit foods which increase inflammation in the body like processed foods, added sugars, excessive alcohol and, you guessed it, limit meat, dairy, fish and eggs, all of which are pro-inflammatory! If this crisis does not have you looking at your diet, not only because the desire to eat meat is what caused this pandemic, but also from an environmental and ethical perspective,we are truly doomed.
- Exercise as much as you can.
- Improve sleep quality.
- Stress management
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎