"If we had no testing, or bad testing, we would show very few CASES"
there are not enough facepalm images...
alasdair
Covid-19 Outbreak of new SARS-like coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Thread starter S.J.B.
- Start date
- Status
"If we had no testing, or bad testing, we would show very few CASES"
there are not enough facepalm images...
alasdair
Xorkoth
Bluelight Crew
Remember Bushisms, where our president said dumb stuff, and we laughed and laughed... and we were sure Bush was the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen to us?
It's not funny anymore. I never thought I'd see the day when I would see that era as comparatively sane, politically.
It's not funny anymore. I never thought I'd see the day when I would see that era as comparatively sane, politically.
right. with bush, the gaffes were occasional. with trump, it's like 4 different moronic things every single day...
alasdair
alasdair
JessFR
Bluelight Crew
God I miss Bush.
I miss him more than I ever feared possible.
I miss the old republican party, before trump hijacked it.
Xorkoth
Bluelight Crew
It was like, oh wow our president is an idiot. OH GEORGIE! It's a lot less funny when it's the frantic flailings of someone in the depths of a terminal personality disorder who will do anything, anything, to be the center of attention, who has a cult of worshippers and has no clue what is really going on in the world, and it's a world where we're on the precipice of total disaster. What the actual fuck? Please, tell me this is rock bottom, America. Please?
Flynnal
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Messages
- 852
Here in Australia they have JobKeeper. Apparently even disabled pensioners can be eligible for it if they work in an ADE (Australian Disability Enterprise). Many people at my work applied for it and got it. However, many people did not apply for it for fear of eventually losing their pensions if JobKeeper was extended and the workplace shut down for 2+ years). I asked one knowledgeable employee who has been there (he has a similar disability to me - some high-functioning mild form of autism), and was told that he didn't even bother to apply because the government (and we all know this is true) is notorious for backpedaling on certain things. I would gain a bit of extra money maybe an extra $300 per fortnight but I'd also gain a whole lot of stress...I decided to opt out too. You realise this thing could go on forever (as in more than 2 years) and I'd end up having to reapply and that's when the problem would start. Government tells you to fuck off, and you then die by suicide because your parents are not going to look after a 40+ year old man and neither are your sisters. You go get a fucking job even though the jobs are rare and no one will employ you, yeah sure get a job LOL. Not a good outcome.
I've already factored into account my possible future suicide, and frankly, honest to God, I don't give a fuck. I have a backup plan and I have no qualms of using it when the time comes.
I've already factored into account my possible future suicide, and frankly, honest to God, I don't give a fuck. I have a backup plan and I have no qualms of using it when the time comes.
Fire&Water
Pumpkin King
What did the dog say?
jpgrdnr
Bluelighter
*AHEMS*
Fire&Water
Pumpkin King
He marveled that the school children couldnt see through his beady little rat eyes
Fire&Water
Pumpkin King
mr peabody
Bluelight Crew
COVID-19: A "Super-Inflammatory Illness"
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Rep. Louie Gohmert's Daughter Speaks Out About His COVID-19 Diagnosis: 'Ignored Medical Expertise'
“This has been a heartbreaking battle because I love my dad and don’t want him to die,” Caroline Gohmert wrote on Twitter
...
One of Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert's daughters has spoken out about his recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
On Friday, Caroline Gohmert — a singer who performs as Caroline Brooks and BELLSAINT — posted on social media about the "heartbreaking battle" and urged people to heed the warnings of medical professionals, which she said her father had not done.
"Wearing a mask is a non-partisan issue," Caroline wrote on Twitter. "The advice of medical experts shouldn't be politicized. My father ignored medical expertise and now he has COVID."
"This has been a heartbreaking battle bc I love my dad and don't want him to die. Please please listen to medical experts," she continued, before slamming President Donald Trump's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. "It's not worth following a president who has no remorse for leading his followers to an early grave."
RELATED: Congressman Who Long Resisted Wearing a Mask Tests Positive for COVID-19
A representative for Rep. Gohmert did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Caroline has seemingly spoken bluntly about her dad before, last year releasing a song with the lyrics: "You get away with everything / Much like my father."
The 66-year-old Republican congressman had regularly declined to wear a mask amid pandemic prior to contracting the respiratory illness last week.
He tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday morning during a pre-flight screening at the White House before he was set to board Air Force One to head to West Texas with Trump, where the president was set to fundraise and tour an oil rig.
Gohmert told local TV station KETK that he would isolate himself for the next 10 days after testing positive and added that he was asymptomatic.
The lawmaker also responded to criticism that he hasn't been wearing a mask.
"A lot of people have made a big deal out of my not wearing a mask a lot," he told KETK, "but in the last week or two I have worn a mask more than I have in the last four months."
However, an aide suggested to Politico that staffers, who were required to work in person at Gohmert's office, were "berated" if they wore masks.
...
He later made a statement on Twitter suggesting — without evidence — that perhaps wearing the mask was what actually caused him to catch the coronavirus.
“It is interesting,” Gohmert said in a video, “and I don’t know about everybody, but when I have a mask on I’m moving it to make it comfortable, and I can’t help but wonder if that put some germs in the mask. Keep your hands off your mask? Anyway, who knows?”
RELATED: Senators Introduce 'Much Needed' Bill to Address Coronavirus' Racial Disparities
Gohmert is one of growing number of White House aides and politicians who have tested positive for the virus.
A senior Republican aide told CNN last week that Gohmert's test results led to "a lot of staffers" in Congress being ordered to get tests before they could resume normal activity.
According to CNN, Gohmert's office notified Republican leaders who in turn notified medical staff at the House of Representatives and the remaining individuals who need to receive further notification.
Other lawmakers who have been infected include Reps. Mario Diaz Balart, Morgan Griffith, Ben McAdams and Neal Dunn, along with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Other representatives tested positive after Gohmert's diagnosis, such as Rep. Raul Grijalva.
...
source: https://people.com/politics/rep-louie-gohmert-daughter-speaks-out-about-his-covid-19-diagnosis/
“This has been a heartbreaking battle because I love my dad and don’t want him to die,” Caroline Gohmert wrote on Twitter
...
One of Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert's daughters has spoken out about his recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
On Friday, Caroline Gohmert — a singer who performs as Caroline Brooks and BELLSAINT — posted on social media about the "heartbreaking battle" and urged people to heed the warnings of medical professionals, which she said her father had not done.
"Wearing a mask is a non-partisan issue," Caroline wrote on Twitter. "The advice of medical experts shouldn't be politicized. My father ignored medical expertise and now he has COVID."
"This has been a heartbreaking battle bc I love my dad and don't want him to die. Please please listen to medical experts," she continued, before slamming President Donald Trump's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. "It's not worth following a president who has no remorse for leading his followers to an early grave."
RELATED: Congressman Who Long Resisted Wearing a Mask Tests Positive for COVID-19
A representative for Rep. Gohmert did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Caroline has seemingly spoken bluntly about her dad before, last year releasing a song with the lyrics: "You get away with everything / Much like my father."
The 66-year-old Republican congressman had regularly declined to wear a mask amid pandemic prior to contracting the respiratory illness last week.
He tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday morning during a pre-flight screening at the White House before he was set to board Air Force One to head to West Texas with Trump, where the president was set to fundraise and tour an oil rig.
Gohmert told local TV station KETK that he would isolate himself for the next 10 days after testing positive and added that he was asymptomatic.
The lawmaker also responded to criticism that he hasn't been wearing a mask.
"A lot of people have made a big deal out of my not wearing a mask a lot," he told KETK, "but in the last week or two I have worn a mask more than I have in the last four months."
However, an aide suggested to Politico that staffers, who were required to work in person at Gohmert's office, were "berated" if they wore masks.
...
He later made a statement on Twitter suggesting — without evidence — that perhaps wearing the mask was what actually caused him to catch the coronavirus.
“It is interesting,” Gohmert said in a video, “and I don’t know about everybody, but when I have a mask on I’m moving it to make it comfortable, and I can’t help but wonder if that put some germs in the mask. Keep your hands off your mask? Anyway, who knows?”
RELATED: Senators Introduce 'Much Needed' Bill to Address Coronavirus' Racial Disparities
Gohmert is one of growing number of White House aides and politicians who have tested positive for the virus.
A senior Republican aide told CNN last week that Gohmert's test results led to "a lot of staffers" in Congress being ordered to get tests before they could resume normal activity.
According to CNN, Gohmert's office notified Republican leaders who in turn notified medical staff at the House of Representatives and the remaining individuals who need to receive further notification.
Other lawmakers who have been infected include Reps. Mario Diaz Balart, Morgan Griffith, Ben McAdams and Neal Dunn, along with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Other representatives tested positive after Gohmert's diagnosis, such as Rep. Raul Grijalva.
...
source: https://people.com/politics/rep-louie-gohmert-daughter-speaks-out-about-his-covid-19-diagnosis/
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novaveritas
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2018
- Messages
- 991
do you information on this that is not public? becuase it doesn't look very impressive at all based on the public information. It is clearly better than remdesevir but that is not saying much.
Shady's Fox
Bluelighter
I dunno if this was posted here before but
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/coronavirus-who-cautious-on-russias-vaccine-campaign/1931568
We barely know something about Pretzel-19 and Russia thinks it can fast track a vaccine? based on what and where? what the fuck people, we have enough western candidates.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/coronavirus-who-cautious-on-russias-vaccine-campaign/1931568
We barely know something about Pretzel-19 and Russia thinks it can fast track a vaccine? based on what and where? what the fuck people, we have enough western candidates.
mr peabody
Bluelight Crew
Here's what I can tell you. I am medically trained, and I can assure you, this is the real deal. Simple yes, but that is the entire point! COVID-19 is a SUPER-inflammatory disease. This is absolutely a 'can't see the forest for the trees' situation. This illness attacks the body via the lungs. BUDESONIDE is the perfect solution. The corticosteroid is delivered directly to the lungs, where it halts progression of the illness. So you're right! Dr. Bartlett's protocol is NOT 'very impressive', but it WORKS, and that's the main thing.
Dr. Bartlett’s Full Treatment Protocol for COVID 19 :
BUDESONIDE (Pulmicort) - 180 mcg inhaler (or nebulizer)
Recommended starting dosage = 180 mcg : 2 inhalations daily
Maximum dosage = 180 mcg : four inhalations daily
CLARITHROMYCIN (Biaxin) - 500 mg
1 tablet twice daily with food
Zinc 50mg
1 tablet daily
Coated Aspirin 81mg
1 tablet daily
Dr. Bartlett's website: http://covidsilverbullet.com/
-----
STUDY
SARS-CoV-2 and the Case for Empirical Treatment*
by Richard P. Bartlett, MD and Alexandria Watkins, DNP-APRN
SUMMARY
As of June 17, 2020, Google Trends reports that the topics "steroids and coronavirus" have increased +4,750%. This is an outpatient case study that examines two patients in the United States with unique cases that involve oncology and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2),also known as COVID-19. This case study aims to reveal the identification process, diagnosis, clinical course, and management of such a distinctive case - including the patient's prodromal phase and subsequent progression of the disease in an outpatient setting utilizing telemedicine. The goal is to call attention to the success of proactive, early empirical treatment, combining a classic corticosteroid (BUDESONIDE) administered via a nebulizer and an oral macrolide antibiotic known as clarithromycin (Biaxin).
INTRODUCTION
A classic drug and a novel case, it is a story out of a Disney playbook -Beauty and The Beast. A beauty named BUDESONIDE and a beast named SARS-CoV-2. BUDESONIDE, a drug initially patented in 1973 and on the World Health Organization's (WHO) List of Essential Medicines, and SARS-CoV-2 first presenting itself in the United States on January 20, 2020. This is a case study that demonstrates the effectiveness of treating a respiratory disease with a pinpoint focused nebulized therapy versus systemic therapy. One can go as far back as ~1554 BC and find that even the ancient Egyptians had an appreciation for the therapeutic effects of sequestered aerosol inhalation. The aim of pinpoint focused treatment is to find specific targets and treat effectively with minimal side effects. 'Work smarter, not harder' is an underlying theme with early, pinpoint focused empirical treatment.
Like asthma, SARS-CoV-2 is a form of a respiratory inflammatory disease that is more severe and acts on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) receptors of the lungs. SARS-CoV-2 presents as a local vascular problem due to the activation of B1 receptors on endothelial cells within the lungs -B1 receptors increase the response to proinflammatory cytokines. This activation takes place when the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) acts as a receptor, permitting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to bind to host cells. When ACE2 is interrupted, and the ligands of B1 are active, the lung environment is predisposed to vascular leakage and angioedema – rapid swelling in the mucosa. The primed spike protein is also allowed viral entry and spread by the transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2). Multiple studies agree with our discovery that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) via nebulizer permit for localized down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and decreased expression of ACE2 (receptor of SARS-CoV-2) and TMPRSS2, thus reducing mortality. For this reason, this case study postulates that focused treatment with nebulized BUDESONIDE has clinical significance over systemic corticosteroids and does not increase the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. This case study supports early empirical treatment in symptomatic patients.
METHODS
Study Population, Setting, and Data Collection
This case study involves twopatientsin the outpatient setting-treated via telemedicine, with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the West Texas region between March 29th, 2020,and May 14th, 2020. The casespresented are confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive casesas defined by a positive result on a reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of a specimen collected on a nasopharyngeal swab.
This case study involves twopatientsin the outpatient setting-treated via telemedicine, with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the West Texas region between March 29th, 2020,and May 14th, 2020. The cases presented are confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive cases as defined by a positive result on a reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of a specimen collected on a nasopharyngeal swab.
The two identified adults were identified and managed through telemedicine by a primary care provider in an outpatient family medicine practice. Informed consent for medical records release was obtained through password-protected emails, and patients were interviewed by phone.
CASE REPORT
The first patient is a 63-year-old female, non-smoker,who is diagnosed with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia (2012) and Primary Cutaneous Marginal Zone Lymphoma (2020) and currently being treated with ibrutinib (Imbruvica). The patient also has a history of hypertension and hypothyroidism; treatment for these comorbidities includes losartan potassium 50mg tab once-daily, and levothyroxine 50mcg tab once-daily respectively. The patient reports complete isolation until May 7th, 2020, when her family visited, this is the initial exposure date. On May 10th, 2020,the patient became symptomatic with sinus cavity pressure, fever, aches,and chills. In the early morning hours of May 11th, the patient had multiple episodes of nausea and vomiting and, by that evening, had fever greater than 100.4°F, constant chills,unproductive cough,decreased appetite related to change in taste and smell. The patient remand symptomatic and continued to self-isolate until May 15th, she received news that she had been exposed to a family member on May 7th, that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Upon hearing the report, the patient reached out via telemedicine to an outpatient family medicine doctor. The patient was tested for SARS-CoV-2 via nasopharyngeal swab using a reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay. At this time (May 15th,2020), the patient was empirically started on BUDESONIDE 0.5mg nebulizer twice daily, clarithromycin (Biaxin) 500mg tab twice daily for tendays, Zinc 50mg tab twice daily, and aspirin 81mg tab daily. The patient reported for the next two-days,symptoms improved once nebulized BUDESONIDE had been administered. By May 19th, the patient developedaproductive cough, pleuritic pain,and diarrhea. On May 20th, the patient’s RT-PCR assayfor SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed positive,tendays after initial symptoms. A telemedicine consult was performed the same day (May 20th), and BUDESONIDE administration was increased from twice daily to three times daily. The patient reports that on May 24th, symptoms started to improve,and on May 25th, the patientcompleted the clarithromycin (Biaxin) prescription andnotes that this was the first day of no fevers. As the patient continued to remain symptom-free, a second RT-PCR assay was ordered via telemedicine on May 29th, and on June 2nd, the patient was still positive for SARS-CoV-2; this is 24-days from initial symptoms. On June 8th, the patient had been symptom-free for 14-days, a third RT-PCR assay was ordered via telemedicine,and on June 10th, the patient received their first negative result for SARS-CoV-2. A fourth RT-PCR assay was ordered on June 11th, via telemedicine,and on June 17th, the patient received a second negative result.The patient has remained symptom-free, and as of June 11th, has nolonger needed nebulized BUDESONIDE therapy.
The second patient is a 38-year-old male, non-smoker,who has the following comorbidities: Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM), hypertension, and gout. The patient takes Metformin 1,000mg tab, twice daily and Pioglitazone 15mg tab, daily for Type II DM, Lisinopril 2.5mg tab, daily for hypertension, and Probenecid 500mg tab, daily for gout. The patient believes initial exposure was in Frisco, TX,on March 7th, 2020,while shopping at a shopping center. On March 29th, 2020,the patient became symptomatic with cough, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, fever (>100.4°F), aches,and chills. March 29th, the patient was tested for Influenza using the rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT), the test was negative,and the patient was discharged home. At this time,the patient accessed his primary care doctor via telemedicine, he was treated empirically and started on BUDESONIDE 0.5mg nebulizer twice daily, clarithromycin (Biaxin) 500mg tab twice daily for 10 days, Zinc 50mg tab twice daily, and aspirin 81mg tab daily. April 1st, 2020 (three days after onset of symptoms), the patient was able to undergo SARS-CoV-2 testing, he was tested by nasopharyngeal swab using an RT-PCR assay. On April 3rd, the patient was informed that he had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, six days after initial symptoms had ensued. The patient reports that he was symptom-free April 4th, and completed his full round of clarithromycin (Biaxin) on April 7th. The patient continued BUDESONIDE 0.5mg nebulizer twice daily, Zinc 50mg tab twice daily, and aspirin 81mg tab daily. Asthe patient continued to remain symptom-free,asecond RT-PCR assay via nasopharyngeal swab was ordered via telemedicine on April 15th ending with a positive result for SARS-CoV-2. At this time azithromycin 500mg tab on day one, then 250mg tab, daily for four-dayswas started. On April 27th, the patient was re-tested via RT-PCR assay and again tested positive. It was not until May 1st that the patient tested negative per the nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR assay. On May 7th, the patient was tested with another RT-PCR assay by nasopharyngeal swab to confirm the negative testresultbut tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.The patient had no new exposure and been self-quarantined since April 1st. The patient was re-screened again by nasopharyngeal swab using RT-PCR May 11th and tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. The patient completed a total of four rounds of Azithromycin 500mg tab on day one, then 250mg tab, daily for four-days,and stopped BUDESONIDE 0.5mg nebulizer twice daily, May 13th. He continued Zinc 50mg tab twice daily, and the aspirin 81mg tab daily,until a second consecutive negative was obtained. On May 14th, the last test that was performed on the patientwasthe nasopharyngeal swab using anRT-PCR assay and again confirmed a negative result.
BUDESONIDE
Since the outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection, there have been inconsistencies in the information that has been disseminated regarding the potentially deleterious effect of treating patients with corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and non-NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induce their intrinsic inhibitory functions on the cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1/COX-2). These enzymes are involved in the synthesis of crucial biological mediators - mediators that regulate inflammation. Corticosteroids, such as BUDESONIDE, participate in several basic physiological processes such as aiding in immune system response and inflammatory regulation. BUDESONIDE destabilizes the messenger RNA (mRNA) of the inflammatory gene, COX-2, by blocking the protein synthesis, thus suppressing the transfer of genetic information that allows for inflammation to take place.
Corticosteroid pretreatment abates cytokine stimulation significantly by reducing both inflammatory mediators’ cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and COX-2 mRNA status as well as prostaglandin (PGE) release. The physiological effect of BUDESONIDE in reducing PGE production occurs primarily at the mRNA level by preventing the launch of cPLA2 and particularly COX-2. Using nebulized BUDESONIDE early on in the treatment plan of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 patients is valuable when trying to avoid an overreaction of the immune system causing a ‘cytokine storm’ – a response that wreaks havoc on healthy cells rather than incapacitating the virus.
BUDESONIDE represents the first example of a drug able to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines like IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-αfrom human lung macrophages activated by secretory phospholipids A2 (sPLA2).40Corticosteroids like BUDESONIDE were universally used during the SARS-CoV outbreak because of their recognized ability to regulate a variety of involved cytokines (including IL-1, IL-3,IL-4,IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-11 IL-12,IL-17AGM-CSF,and TNF-α). Research shows that early intervention with ICS like BUDESONIDE decreases the need for systemic corticosteroid use.Inhaled corticosteroids modestly improve airflow function. According to Russell et al., there is no “definitive evidence” that establishes a stance on the use of NSAIDs for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Still, there is evidence that corticosteroids can produce favorable results in the treatment of SARS-CoV. Oncology patients who are immunocompromised benefit from prescribed low-dose corticosteroids. There is also a decreased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients who use nebulized BUDESONIDE. In contrast, when systemic corticosteroids were used in SARS-CoV-2 hospital patients there was no evidence of shortened pneumonia duration, decrease in days stayed in the hospital,or reduced risk of mortality. This case study has affirmed that an empirical treatment protocol with nebulized BUDESONIDE and the efficacy of treating symptomatic patients earlier rather than later has significant implications. Halpin et al. is in agreeance with early management and encourages increased dosing with ICS for SARS-CoV-2 patients. The treatment plan has evolved and become more effective by increasing the dosage and frequency of nebulized BUDESONIDE.
BUDESONIDE has proven to be useful in the prevention of asthma (an inflammatory disease in the lungs), and when regularly used, BUDESONIDE has shown to decrease the severity and number of asthma attacks. SARS-CoV-2 is a much more severe form of inflammatory disease in the lungs with the primary source of infection at the ACE receptors in the lungs. It is important to note that for asthmatics who are having an acute inflammatory response and people with late symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, BUDESONIDE is ineffective. Hence, routine daily treatment of BUDESONIDE ICS for asthmatics and early empirical nebulized treatment is critical for SARS-CoV-2 patients. The use of inhaled BUDESONIDE has also been shown to be beneficial in the airway epithelial cells by inhibiting the virus-induced cytokines, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26). The inhibition of these cytokines indicates that inhalation of BUDESONIDE via nebulizer after SARS-CoV-2 contagion has favorable effects.
Another advantage to nebulized BUDESONIDE is that the systemic half-life (the time it takes a drug to decrease to half its initial dose) is much shorter than that of fluticasone propionate. It is understood that BUDESONIDE has low lipophilicity relative to other corticosteroids and has a more preferential reversible esterification process, thus extending the exposure in the lungs. It is because of this knowledge and the lung’s preference for inhaled BUDESONIDE; SARS-CoV-2 patients have been empirically treated with nebulized BUDESONIDE.
Nebulizer and Concerns of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission
Nebulizers are very effective at treating breathing disorders like SARS-CoV-2, but concerns of spreading particles in size up to 5 μm via aerosol cause concern for providers when considering what route to order for respiratory medications. This case study is focused on treatment in the outpatient setting, and therefore, there are different considerations when examining the efficacy of nebulized therapy. Small-Volume Nebulizers (SVNs) offer several advantages for drug delivery: nebulization delivers higher targeted drug concentrations in the airways achieving rapid onset of action, nebulized corticosteroids can be dosed at considerably lower doses than oral or intravenous alternatives, and there is minimal systemic absorption with nebulized corticosteroids hence, fewer adverse effects. In 2004, a study evaluated the distribution of airborne SARS-CoV in hospital patients who were being treated with a combination of humidified oxygen therapy and nebulizers. The study observed that zero percent of the offending pathogen in the air and environmental samples after a PCR amplification was performed in isolated rooms. This study does not coincide with the consensus that using a nebulizer might be a transmitting source for SARS. Deslée et al. and the French Language Respiratory Society note that there is no evidence to support avoiding using ICS (nebulized BUDESONIDE) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and Dr. Xi of Keck Medicine of USC suggests that nebulized medications should be administered in a room of the patient's house that is isolated from other household members to minimize exposure. The goal is to use a nebulizer in a part of the house where there is no recirculated air or in areas with low foot traffic. It is suggested that patients use nebulizers in an area where it is easy to clean the surfaces, such as a private bathroom or an area that needs no cleaning at all—for instance, the garage or outside on the patio if practical. When cleaning a surface after a nebulization treatment, one can use a disinfectant wipe or a water-absorbent paper towel. It has been shown that more than 95% of the residue left on a surface after a nebulization treatment can be removed with regular water-absorbent tissue paper. For the remaining percentage left on the service, it is not guaranteed that infection will follow if the residue reaches another susceptible individual. Collaboration between the healthcare provider and patient, along with continued patient education is vital when prescribing nebulized medication in cases with high contagion risk.There has to be a big push for educating the patient and all parties involved in the patient's care on appropriate device cleaning and aerosol therapy infection control. According to O'Malley, the recommended steps for nebulizer cleaning and disinfecting in the home include:
1) Nebulizer parts cleaned with dish detergent and water
2) Disinfect (per manufacturer approval and patient approval)
a) Cold techniques:
i) Soak for five minutes in 70% isopropyl alcohol
ii) Soak for 30 minutes in 3% hydrogen peroxide
b) Heat techniques:
i) Microwave or Boil for five minutes
ii) If patient has a dishwasher that can achieve a temperature of > 158°F or 70°C, it is okay to wash in a dishwasher for 30 minutes
iii) Electric steam sterilizer
3) The patient will need to rinse with sterile water if using the cold disinfectant technique
4) Air-dry before storing equipment As always, reinforcing good hand hygiene before and after nebulized therapy is crucial when being proactive in stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Supportive Therapy
Clarithromycin
Biaxin, also known as clarithromycin, is a macrolide that is metabolized in the liver and primarily excreted in the urine. Biaxin inhibits the growth of atypical pathogens and is commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections and community-acquired pneumonia (affects the lower respiratory tract). The protocol calls for Biaxin to treat atypical pneumonia prophylactically – pneumonia is a known complication of SARS-CoV-2. When patients with SARS-CoV-2 exchange oxygen (take a breath), they allow the insulting agent to crossover into the bloodstream, thus introducing the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs) and surrounding tissue to SARS-CoV-2. This exchange, along with inflammation, causes an accumulation of dead cells and fluid, thus leading to pneumonia.
Aspirin
Early aspirin use curtails the incidence of cardiovascular complications, mitigates prothrombotic states, reduces the extent of SARS-CoV-2 in severe and critical patients, and will conceivably shorten days in the hospital. Prophylactic use of aspirin in SARS-CoV-2 patients has the potential to inhibit viral replication, anti-inflammatory, and anti-lung injuries, as well as anti-platelet aggregation.
Zinc
Zinc administration prophylactically restores depleted immune cell function and has the potential to enhance antiviral immunity. Zinc diminishes the RNA-synthesizing activity of SARS-CoV-2. Zinc protects the cell membrane, which in return, assists in blocking viral entry into the cell and is an essential component; zinc is a naturally occurring mineral.
False-Negative Covid-19 Test and Empirical Treatment
In healthcare, tests are used to guide our decision making not be our only decision-making tool. It is imperative to note that the “art of medicine” requires us to ‘treat the patient, not the test.’ New studies show that if SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing takes place within the first five days post-exposure, the patient has a greater than 65 percent chance of receiving a false-negative result, and the average patient that was symptomatic within the first five days of exposure had a false-negative rate of almost 40 percent. The consequences of not treating someone who truly has SARS-CoV-2 because they test negative instead of positive can be detrimental to the patient and society as a whole.
Real-Time Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test had the best performance eight days after contagion (on average, the patient was symptomatic on day three), but our best still had a false-negative rate of 20 percent –this equates into one in five people with false-negative test results. High-risk exposure patients and patients who are immunocompromised should be cared for as if they have SARS-CoV-2 until proven otherwise when symptoms are consistent with SARS-CoV-2.In case one and case two had early empirical treatment not been started, the patient would have lost five days and six days of therapy, respectively, thus diminishing chances of survival. In case two had the patient stopped his treatment on May 3rd instead of May 15th because of a “potential false-negative,” he would have missed 12 days of treatment, potentially exposing him to disease proliferation.
CONCLUSIONS
It should be mentioned that telemedicine has been put to the test during these trying times. The success of these two cases and the safety permitted by monitoring remotely and providing real-time consultations by phone could not have been achieved without the integration of telemedicine. This experience has enabled us to witness the advancement of technology in medicine personally. Inhaled corticosteroids are a powerful tool. The evidence is currently under review in regards to the precision and power that inhaled corticosteroids possess; these studies are being performed by France, Spain, Sweden, the University of Oxford, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is our understanding that there is more than one way to treat SARS-CoV-2, but it is with great respect to the studies that have come before and will come after ours that these case studies and the treatments provided be considered in the arsenal of powerful therapies to be used when treating SARS-CoV-2. A call to arms was sounded on January 20, 2020, when the first case of SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in the United States, and in March 2020 a successful empirical treatment plan was put into place :
BUDESONIDE 0.5mg nebulizer, twice daily + Clarithromycin (Biaxin) 500mg tab, twice daily for ten days + Zinc 50mg tab, twice daily + aspirin 81mg tab, daily.
It must also be noted that patients are handled in a case by case manner. Some patients may require an increase in the BUDESONIDE dose due to chest tightness or shortness of breath. Nebulized BUDESONIDE 1mg every two-hours has been effective for patients in those circumstances.
*From the study (w/footnotes) here:
http://covidsilverbullet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Full-Protocol.pdf
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novaveritas
Bluelighter
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- Jun 8, 2018
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^ I had read that as n=2 and results not very convincing as the duration is what would be expected if the drug had no effect whatsoever and the infection was being cleared anyway, which is why I asked if you had other information.
jpgrdnr
Bluelighter
I would be very hesitant to take a steroid inhaler and antibiotics unless I was basically already dead.
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