How Remdisivir And Oxygen Help Fight Covid-19

What You Should Know:

• What Is Remdesivir?
• Is Remdesivir Effective in Treating COVID-19
• Why is Oxygen Used in Treating COVID-19?
• Additional Resources

What is Remdesivir?

With the second wave of COVID-19 upon us, several people have been trying to get their hands on a drug called Remdesivir. Pharmacies and chemist shops ran out of stock and there are frantic requests on social media from patients and their families for stocks of the drug. But what is Remdesivir? 

Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. This means that it can be used to treat a number of different viruses including the SARS Coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2). In 2020 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug for the treatment of COVID-19 which is also a type of coronavirus.  The drug is now also being used in India but is only meant for critical condition patients who are above the age of 12 years and weigh at least 40 kilograms. 

Is Remdesivir Effective in the Treatment of COVID-19?

Although Remdesivir is being actively prescribed by doctors, there is no evidence that it is effective against COVID-19. Observations have found that patients don’t seem to be showing any improvement after getting the drug and the infection continues to progress. 

Some known side-effects of Remdesivir include:

• Chills or shivering 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness while standing
• Increased heart rate
• Abnormally low heart rate
• Shortness of breath and wheezing
• Skin rash

If you or a family member is being given Remdesivir intravenously and you notice any of these side effects, please inform your doctor immediately.

Why is Oxygen Used for Treating COVID-19?

A small proportion of patients that have contracted COVID-19 develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This stage of the infection takes place when the body tries to fight the virus that has infected the epithelial cells of the lungs. The immune reaction causes inflammation and fluid collection in the lungs which makes it very difficult for the patient to breathe. This is when the oxygen levels in the blood start to drop and the patient requires supplemental oxygen. 

When given an oxygen mask or put on a ventilator, oxygen delivery directly to the patient’s lungs is enabled. This helps to bring the blood oxygen levels up sufficiently and allow the body to fight the infection without causing more harm to the patient. Oxygen therapy has been found to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19.

Additional Resources  

During this urgent health crisis, you can use this link to look for help related to treatment and other resources. However, you should check for authenticity and verify all sites before making any payments or sharing personal details.  

For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and living through a pandemic check out the Lifestyle Conditions and Nutrition sections of the Activ Living Blog.