Is It a Pandemic Yet?

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by blisterpeanuts on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:30AM (#22404811)

[edited to change linked article]

Fortunately we know a lot more about viruses today than we did in 1918. The virus has already been mapped genetically, and many labs around the world are hard at work on an anti-viral treatment. We shouldn't get complacent of course, but it's likely that this thing can be contained and treated eventually.

I read today about a device[1] from Israel that helps the lungs quickly clear phlegm, thus reducing the coughing behavior that spreads the disease. The Chinese are starting to manufacture and deploy it, so hopefully it will cut back on the spread at least a bit.

1. https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/New-Israeli-invention-u...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by gnulinux on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:38AM (#22404903)

In particular, chloroquine has been shown to be helpful in treatment and is readily available in developing countries since it's used as a malaria medicine (and there are replacements available in developed countries).

in vitro: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41422-020-0282-0

practice: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bst/advpub/0/advpub_202...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by tim333 on Monday February 24, 2020 @11:53AM (#22405732)

Yeah it's one thing that gives some hope. Recently:

>Chloroquine Phosphate, which has been used for more than 70 years, has been tested in 135 cases in Beijing and southern China's Guangdong Province. Among them, 130 patients have light and common symptoms, and five are severe patients.

>None of the patients with light and common symptoms have developed severe symptoms. Four severe patients have been discharged from hospital, and one has seen severe symptoms mitigated to normal, Xu said. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2020-02/22/content_75732846.ht...

Which seems quite promising. Also it could be used prophylactically.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by downerending on Monday February 24, 2020 @01:54PM (#22407118)

Also a good opportunity to ramp up on gin and tonics.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by mrfusion on Monday February 24, 2020 @08:38PM (#22410234)

Is it really the same as the medicine?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by downerending on Tuesday February 25, 2020 @12:57PM (#22415400)

Was joke. But yes, tonic water contains quinine, and that medicine is related to the compound used to treat malaria. (I think they're both used, but unclear on the specifics.)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by mrfusion on Monday February 24, 2020 @08:37PM (#22410232)

What’s the mechanism of action? This is obviously very different than maleria. Why would it work on both?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by wffurr on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:37AM (#22404885)

That link has a really obnoxious popup banner for a political poll. Can you use one that is just the news, please?

e.g. https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/New-Israeli-invention-u...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by blisterpeanuts on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:42AM (#22404950)

Thanks, I've updated my link to the one you supplied. My Brave browser doesn't show the banner.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by empath75 on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:41AM (#22404937)

There's been some recent discussion that it's actually diarrhea that is causing the spread among 'asymptomatic' carriers.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is It a Pandemic Yet? by pmoriarty on Monday February 24, 2020 @10:45AM (#22404978)

A vaccine is at least a year or two away from going through all the testing and approval it has to go through before it's ready to be deployed on a mass level... if one that's safe and effective is actually found at all.

[ Parent | on HN ]