The antibiotic zithromycin is for treating secondary bacterial infections that might occur, not the virus itself. Any broad spectrum antibiotic should be able to work as well as zithromycin.
Freegards mjp!
There is an anti viral effect in the dish. It is true of all the macrolides. That is why this one was used as opposed to many other better options to control secondary infections. This came out of AIDS research IIRC. These compounds have multiple effects.
Azithromycin also helps the body's cells absorb zinc, and zinc interferes with viral replication.
I don't know if doxycyclin does this as well, but the proof that it works, regardless of mechanism, is the survivors. One could argue that the "control group" is the other area nursing homes that didn't have the same high survival rates.
I’d think, in regards to this virus, secondary bacterial pneumonia is highest concern and use for antibiotic. I wonder if it’s even necessary in people who current on pneumonia vax.
“ The antibiotic zithromycin is for treating secondary bacterial infections that might occur, not the virus itself. Any broad spectrum antibiotic should be able to work as well as zithromycin.”
Actually, both antibiotics work by interfering with tRNA and mRNA, and since Mexican Beer Virus is an RNA virus, there is some thought that these antibiotics directly block viral replication.