Posted on 03/15/2020 5:31:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Using an experimental drug, scientists in the US have managed to save a victim they feared “was going to pass away”.
The patient is a woman was confirmed as the first case of community transmission in the US.
She tested positive for COVID-19 on February 26.
The patient had had not travelled to an infected area or been in known contact with a confirmed case, according to scientists from the University of California Davis Medical Center.
The woman’s condition deteriorated significantly, and she became critical.
She was then given special permission to become a test subject for the drug named ‘Remdesivir.’
The drug had previously only been tested on monkeys in the US , infected with MERS - a variation of coronavirus.
Speaking to ScienceInsider, George Thompson, an infectious disease specialist who treated the woman said she is now “doing well”, despite fears the virus was about to kill her.
Just 36 hours after diagnosis and after her condition took a serious turn, the patient was given the drug intravenously. People suffering from the coronavirus are being advised to self-isolate to prevent the virus from spreading further.
People suffering from the coronavirus are being advised to self-isolate to prevent the virus from spreading further.
“We thought she was going to pass away,” Thompson said of the patient.
“The day after the infusion of the drug, she consistently got better.”
Despite the success, more tests will be needed as the scientists were unable to test her blood for something called “polymerase chain reaction” (PCR).
This enables scientists to study the state of the altered state of COVID-19 virus after treatment.
Mr Thompson said that while early intervention is crucial, more testing is needed.
“For most any infectious disease, I think the earlier we start drugs the better. But it’s a risk versus benefit question. What if this drug causes liver toxicity in 50% of the people, and we’ve given it to somebody who was probably going to do well without it?”
This is America. You're going to get sued into bankruptcy.
Why dont they give this drug to everyone who are currently very critical, they have nothing left to lose they are already on ventilators, see if the drug works
“”””What if this drug causes liver toxicity in 50% of the people, and we’ve given it to somebody who was probably going to do well without it?”
This is America. You’re going to get sued into bankruptcy. “””””
The Right to Try bill that President Trump talks about at his rallies should come into play here. My son has terminal brain cancer. Due to Right to Try he was able to go on an experimental drug that so far has shown good improvement.
Had that bill not gone into effect he would probably be gone by now.
That’s what they did. But long term effects have not been determined.
“Using an experimental drug, scientists in the US have managed to save a victim they feared “was going to pass away”
Scientists will probably be arrested for using a drug not approved by the government.
...the scientists were unable to test her blood for something called “polymerase chain reaction” (PCR).
Uh, checked *with* PCR, maybe. It isn't in the blood, it's the technique that makes Ancestry and 23andMe possible.
I’m happy for both you and your son. He got the right medication at the right time.
Here in Washington state our first coronavirus patient was given an unapproved by FDA Ebola drug and he fully recovered.
Apparently it did not work for Ebola a few years ago so it was shelved. As a last resort the hospital in Everett gave the unapproved drug to the 40-year-old.
The Right to Try bill came to my mind immediately, in regards to this virus.
It was the same drug.
The government would have to indemnify them and waive the time intensive testing requirements. So that won't be the problem, it's an ethics one.
I thought that with right to try there was a waiver signed giving up the right to sue anybody for anything related to the attempt forever. No?
Just about the worst writing of the day. And since it’s Sunday that’s quite the accomplishment.
Long term effects of the alternative are, however, well established.
“Scientists will probably be arrested for using a drug not approved by the government.”
i guess you haven’t heard of the “Right to Try Law” that President Trump got passed ...
This is the drug they gave that first Washington state patient.
He had bilateral pneumonia and was on O2 one night, got this drug and the next day was essentially ‘well’ with a residual cough. Literally overnight for him. But he was young, 35.
They are also having extremely successful results with plasma from recovered patients this is exactly how we saved Ebola patient brought home from Africa, one gentleman beat it after being brought to Nebraska from Africa, we gave the other dying patients his plasma and saved them all!! If we have patients with underlying conditions that are going to pass away do whatever it takes with whatever drugs we have what the hell difference does it make if they are about to die!!! The right to try has been passed so go for it!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.