General Treatment Options for Covid-19

So far there is no specific therapy for the disease Covid-19. Here you will find an overview of the current general treatment options

What are general treatment options?

General treatment options are the therapy that treats the symptoms of a disease. So it is not specific, like a certain antibiotic against a certain pathogen, but helps in general if you suffer from certain symptoms. For example, if you have difficulty breathing - whatever the cause - oxygen can help. In short: General medical measures are the supportive administration of medication and applications to help the body.

What are general medical measures for a Covid-19 disease?

Infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is mild in most people. However, it can trigger a lung disease, especially in the elderly and in people with previous illnesses, which in severe cases can lead to pneumonia and even death. Medicines, on the other hand, are still being tested, which is why clinics are currently treating primarily with supportive measures. These include, for example, oxygen and artificial respiration, medication for circulatory support, medication for blood thinning and antibiotics against possible bacterial concomitant diseases.

Oxygen administration and artificial respiration

Severe pneumonia can lead to the development of a so-called ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). The inflammatory reaction of the lung tissue sometimes leads to an increasing accumulation of water in the lungs (pulmonary edema), so that the possibility of gas exchange in the lungs worsens and the oxygen supply to the body can no longer be guaranteed. On the other hand, the inflammation causes a connective tissue remodeling of the lung tissue (pulmonary fibrosis), which also affects the gas exchange and the elasticity of the lungs. If there is no longer sufficient gas exchange in the lungs, this leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen. To improve this, supportive oxygen is given or even artificial respiration is necessary.

Ventilation: air for life

If you can no longer breathe adequately on your own, your life can be made easier or even saved with artificial ventilation

Medicines (not specific for Covid-19)

Blood-thinning medication: Recent studies indicate that the risk of blood clots forming in the course of a COVID-19 disease is increased, so that blood-thinning medication is sometimes used. These are either injected into the subcutaneous tissue as low molecular weight or unfractionated heparins. If blood-thinning medication outside the hospital becomes necessary, so-called direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), which are available in tablet form, may also be used.