What is Aralen (chloroquine), and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Chloroquine (Aralen) and its sister drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) are under investigation for treatment of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease Korean doctors used these anti-malaria drugs to treat COVID-19 with some success, according to a paper filed with Elsevier in March 2020. A tiny French...
What is mechanical ventilation? People with the most severe lung symptoms from COVID-19 coronavirus disease need mechanical ventilation to stay alive. Experts fear a shortage of breathing machines in the U.S., considering the pandemic. Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on...
Facts you should know about COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, Wuhan coronavirus) Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Infection with COVID-19 causes respiratory problems. COVID-19 is a new disease caused by a newly identified and named type of single-stranded, positive-sense RNA coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 that likely jumped from infecting only animal species to infecting humans...
What does continuous positive airway pressure mean? CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines pump air into the lungs of people who have breathing problems — usually sleep apnea. CPAP machines should not be used for COVID-19 coronavirus patients as they spread the virus farther. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) means maintaining a constant air pressure...
How contagious a person is may vary, but there is no test to accurately determine how contagious a person could be or if one person is more contagious than another. People infected with COVID-19 can still be contagious even when they stop feeling sick, so precautionary measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after...
What is mechanical ventilation? Mechanical ventilation or breathing machines are part of doctors’ arsenal to treat COVID-19 coronavirus disease in patients with the worst lung symptoms. Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on their own. A mechanical ventilator pushes airflow into...
An equivocal COVID-19 antibody test result means that the result could not be interpreted as positive or negative If you have gotten a COVID-19 antibody test, you may be confused if your results are reported as equivocal. An equivocal test result means that the result could not be interpreted as positive or negative. What is a...
What is a novel or new coronavirus (COVID-19)? Can a face mask protect you from infection with COVID-19? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like acute respiratory syndrome. They are named for having the shape of a crown surrounding the virus particle....
Facts you should know about COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) prevention tips Share Your Story SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that spreads via infected respiratory droplets, causing COVID-19. COVID-19 is a new disease that can cause immune problems usually in individuals with medical problems. In the elderly, COVID-19 can cause a potentially fatal viral pneumonia that...
What are the differences and similarities between the common cold, flu, and COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story It’s easy to confuse the symptoms of the common cold and flu with the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. The following article is designed to answer the following question. "What are the differences...