With input from Dr Monica Vasudev

Famotidine in mild to moderate Covid-19 

Results of a phase II trial reported in the journal Gut have shown that in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 there was early resolution of symptoms and inflammation after treatment with famotidine without and decrease in anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Fourteen of 16 symptoms evaluated such as loss of smell and taste, shortness of breath and abdominal pain recovered. Fifty percent relief in symptoms was noted in 8.2 days in the famotidine-treated patients compared to 11.4 days in the placebo group. Very few patients on famotidine showed detectable plasma levels of interferon alpha … (Source: Gut, Feb. 10, 2022)

Ivermectin does not stop progression of mild to moderate Covid-19 to severe disease

The Malaysian Ivermectin Treatment Efficacy in Covid-19 High Risk Patients (I-TECH) study reported in JAMA Internal Medicine has not shown favorable results with ivermectin for mild to moderate Covid-19. The study was conducted between May 31 and October 25, 2021. In these patients, ivermectin did not stop disease progression to severe disease (21.6% vs 17.3%, respectively with relative risk of 1.25). Patients treated with ivermectin also required mechanical ventilation (1.7% vs 4.0%) and intensive care (2.4% vs 3.2%, respectively)… (Source: Medscape, Feb. 18, 2022) 

Mental health outcomes in Covid patients

Covid survivors were at a 60% higher risk of being diagnosed with a new mental health condition up to one year compared with those who were never infected, according to a BMJ study. They were 1.35 times at higher risk of developing anxiety disorder and 1.39 times the risk for depressive disorder. Stress, both acute and PTSD, adjustment disorders and sleep disorders were also prevalent in them. Mental health-related drug prescriptions, also increased by 86% and they were more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepenes, Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) …(Source: Medpage Today, Feb. 16, 2022)

WHO recommends reducing quarantine period in places with huge number of cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended reducing the quarantine period in countries with high number of cases that are overwhelming the resources in its interim guidance. It suggests shortening the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days without a test and to 7 days with a negative test, if the person should not develop any symptoms. If testing is not possible, then absence of symptoms could be used as a marker in place of testing…(Source: Medscape, Feb. 18, 2022)

Booster effectiveness decreases after 4 months

CDC’s latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) reports that the effectiveness of the booster dose against COVID-19–associated emergency department/urgent care visits and hospitalizations was higher after the third dose than after the second dose but the effectiveness declined after some time. During the Omicron-predominant period, the vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19–associated ED/UC visits was 87% during the first two months after the booster but declined to 66% after the fourth month. Similarly, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations, which was 91% initially decreased to 78% by the fourth month after a third dose. These findings call for being up to date with the recommended vaccination program in respective countries…(Source: MMWR, Feb. 18, 2022).

Study finds vagus nerve dysfunction as the cause of post-COVID symptoms 

Research from Spain has suggested that many symptoms of long Covid could be due to the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the vagus nerve, which performs several functions in the body. Nearly 66% of the 348 patients had at least one symptom suggesting dysfunction of the vagus nerve such as diarrhea, low BP, tachycardia, dizziness, dysphagia and voice problems. Six patients showed vagus nerve thickening and increased echogenicity on ultrasound indicative of inflammation. Many of these patients had “structural and/or  functional alterations in their vagus nerve, including nerve thickening, trouble swallowing, and symptoms of impaired breathing” which point to “vagus nerve dysfunction as a central pathophysiological feature of long COVID”, state the authors… (Source: Medscape, Feb. 15, 2022).

Deltacron cases reported in the UK

Cases of deltacron variant have been reported in the UK. A hybrid of the Omicron and Delta variants (BA.1 + B.1.617.2), deltacron is currently being monitored, according to the UK’s health security agency (UKSHA). It was first discovered by researchers at the University of Cyprus, who said that the hybrid strain has Omicron-like genetic signatures within the Delta genome. Its origin was earlier  attributed to sample contamination. According to reported, it is believed to have evolved in a patient who caught both variants at the same time… (Source: Dailymail UK, Feb. 11, 2022)