December COVID-19 Chronicle
1- The World Cup 2022 was in Qatar and we have crowned a new Football (Soccer) World Champion. It was reported that many have suffered from Flu-like symptoms. A plater was reported to suffer from “Camel Fever” which we have never heard of. Indeed, this is a fever due to a Coronavirus MERS able to inflict a severe respiratory illness. It has in the past, caused an epidemic before the SARV COV 2 Some are asking if it can represent the next pandemic. Beaucoup de visiteurs à QATAR retourneront chez eux avec les prodromes qui sont identiques a ceux de la COVID-19. Be careful.
2- Bebtelovimab is not used anymore in the USA because it is unable to neutralize the virus Omicron subvariant BQ1 and BQ1.1 which now make up for more than 60% of the Covid-19 infections in the USA. Paxlovid (ritonavir or nirmatrelvir) is now authorized for adults and pediatric patients aged 12 to older. Lagevrio (molnupiravir)is also authorized for mild to moderate cases. Veklury (remdesivir) is also approve for adult and pediatric patients older than 3 months, Convalescent plasma is still being used in patients with immunosuppressive disease.
3- COVID-19 vaccination remains a potent means to prevent or reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 hospitalizations. There is a surge of Influenza infections as well, and influenza vaccination should be encouraged. Oseltamivir treatment may be beneficial while waiting for influenza testing. It should be started as soon as possible with other supportive treatment; Antiviral is always more effective when started within two days of onset of the illness.
4- We are already in the period when anybody should start a way to protect self during this flu period.
Maxime Coles MD
Boca Raton FL