There is a current trial investigating the impact of vitamin C in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in China, however we will not have the results of this for a number of months. There is currently not enough evidence to recommend vitamin C as standard treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
Do home-based antibody test kits for COVID-19 give accurate results?
Some companies are selling home based antibody test kits. The UK health authorities have cautioned against people buying and using these kits (more info here). You cannot be sure the results you receive are accurate and reliable. So current advice is do not buy home based antibody test kits until there are some which are validated and certificated by the …
What’s the difference between a COVID-19 swab test and an antibody test?
The COVID-19 swab test is used to detect if you currently HAVE the virus. It is done by taking a swab sample from your mouth and sometimes your nose too. This test is then it’s sent off to a specialist lab. These samples can also be taken at home but all samples must be sent to a government approved lab …
Why do people from the BAME community have a more severe COVID-19 infection?
People from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community seem to be more at risk of severe illness and death than white social groups. This may be due to greater exposure to COVID-19 in the type of work they do or living situation, or it may be linked to underlying health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Currently …
Will COVID-19 affect those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and heart failure more?
It is possible that anyone with underlying health conditions such as COPD or a heart condition will be more adversely affected by COVID-19. The current guidance for patients such as these is to self isolate. See the NHS advice for high risk patients.
Are there any medicines I can keep at home in case we get COVID-19?
There are no specific home treatments for COVID-19 (the disease caused by the Coronavirus). If you catch it, make sure to get plenty of rest and fluids, and use paracetamol to treat the fever. Antibiotics do not work or protect you from viruses. So, you should ensure you have some paracetamol which works better than ibuprofen. Keep warm and take …
Now that the children are back at school, I am worried about them getting COVID-19. I have heard that COVID-19 is less of a problem for children – is this true?
The NHS says that “Children can get coronavirus (COVID-19), but they seem to get it less often than adults and it’s usually less serious.” However, like any other group in society, they can spread the virus, even if they are not displaying obvious symptoms. Schools should be following the Government’s “Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings” guidelines, which …
What is the difference between sepsis, septicaemia and blood poisoning?
Blood poisoning or septicaemia are both terms which refer to the invasion of bacteria into the bloodstream causing severe infection. Sepsis is a rarer, but serious, complication of infection. It can lead to multiple organ failure and even death, sometimes without blood poisoning or septicaemia. The main cause of sepsis is usually bacterial infection, although sepsis can sometimes be due …
I already have an infection. Does that make me more likely to get COVID-19?
If you are worried that you are more vulnerable it is worth speaking to your GP. You might also consider self isolating to shield you from the risk of catching the COVID-19. Anyone who is immuno-suppressed is considered to be at more risk from COVID-19. However, these are usually people treated with drugs which suppress the immune system. Antibiotics are …
Is Hydroxychloroquine (an antimalarial medicine) effective to treat COVID-19 or not?
Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, sometimes in combination with an antibiotic called azithromycin, has been widely discussed and used recently for treatment of COVID-19. It is used and licensed for malaria and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Currently, the safety and benefit of these medicines has not been proven in patients with COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine was being tested as part of a large …
I have read a lot of conflicting things about antibiotics curing COVID-19. Is there any truth in that? Should I ask the doctor for some if I get symptoms? The news is very confusing on the matter!
Antibiotics do not treat viruses such as COVID-19, but they are absolutely essential for treating bacterial infections. Patients with COVID-19 are very susceptible to secondary bacterial infections which can only be treated with antibiotics. People on ventilators are particularly susceptible. We understand just how difficult it can be to find information on the internet which is trustworthy and reliable. You …
Is an antiviral drug specific for COVID-19 in development?
There are a number of existing antiviral drugs under investigation through clinical trials for use against COVID-19. Most of these drugs are already used for other viral conditions such as Ebola or HIV and some strains of seasonal flu, and none are yet clinically proven against COVID-19. Remdesivir is an antiviral drug under investigation against COVID-19. It has now been …
What is a secondary bacterial infection?
When someone gets infected with any general flu type virus, the virus can hijack the person’s immune system. As a consequence, that person is then susceptible to getting what is called a secondary bacterial infection. It is estimated that in general between 10 – 30% of patients with a flu type virus will get a secondary bacterial infection. It is …
Should I take vitamin D supplement to help protect against COVID-19?
Vitamin D helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. It also plays an important role in the immune system, which helps our body fight infection. However, the role that vitamin D plays in the management of COVID-19 is not completely clear currently. Clinical studies are ongoing to determine if vitamin D helps prevent respiratory complications, or whether it provides …
Do face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection?
The WHO guidance has not changed on the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The advice on this currently comes from the UK government. Currently there is limited evidence for the use of masks (medical or other) for healthy individuals in the wider community. The WHO is actively studying the rapidly evolving science on masks and …
Can a person contract COVID-19 more than once?
If you have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. But it cannot be guaranteed that will happen in all cases, nor exactly for how long that will last. There has been one report of a possible re-infection reported. If you have previously tested positive but develop symptoms again, you must self-isolate …