Corona Munich: new drug in prospect? Doctor gives hope

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Remdesivir is a substance in powder form. It is diluted with saline and given to the patient as an infusion into the vein over several days. Each of the infusions lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes. The worldwide large study will initially include 1000 patients. Up to 20 patients are initially planned in Munich. “An increase is possible,” explains Wendtner.

In addition, a Malaria remedy in combination with an antibiotic tried out. It was used in 20 patients under the leadership of doctors in Marseille. The virus was already contained within six days and the patients could be discharged earlier. Wendtner is skeptical, howeverwhether this combination is suitable for mass therapy of Covid-19. “You still have to be careful. We will only use it in isolated cases after a very critical review. ”The same applies to an active ingredient combination that is actually administered in tablet form against HIV. “A new study from China shows that, unfortunately, this product does not have any great advantages in the treatment of Covid-19.”

Coronavirus: when is there a vaccine?

From bogeyman of some soccer fanatics to the savior of the world? The Entrepreneur Dietmar Hopp hopes that his Tübingen company CureVac will be able to provide a vaccine by autumn. But scientists are more likely to put the brakes on euphoria: “We assume that the development will take at least one year and one Vaccine will not be available until 2021* “Says Wendtner. “As the majority owner of the company, Mr. Hopp seems to be on this issue endowed with a particularly large dose of optimism to be. Of course I would be happy if his company actually makes it through autumn, but personally I don’t expect it. ”

Corona virus: What are the effects of bans on contacts and curfews?

“If I don’t have any cold symptoms, then I can’t infect anyone” – that’s a fatal misconception, as the Schwabingen chief doctor emphasizes: “As a corona patient, you can do other things infect very easily, even if you feel healthy. It is therefore irresponsible not to strictly follow the rules for restricting social life now. The Prime Minister unequivocally once again told the people on Friday: stay home! That was not a request but a very serious request. It is imperative to avoid crowds of people now. The exit restrictions were without alternative. We can only hope that some insightful people will finally come to their senses – it is now also a matter of life and death. ”

Corona: How long will there be school and daycare closures?

Experts are already discussing behind the scenes, as are schools and kindergartens closed beyond the end of the Easter holidays to keep. Professor Wendtner does not want to get involved in the political discussion, but says from a medical point of view: “You have to wait and see whether the previous timeframe for the closures is sufficient to effectively contain the virus.”

Coronavirus: are mutations threatening soon? Wendtner provides information

In the fight against influenza, the vaccine must be used every year adjusted before the start of the flu season or optimized because the virus changes. Does Corona also face this problem? “It could be that we have a changed corona virus in autumn – similar to the case with influenza,” says Wendtner. “But after the first tests, it looks as if the novel corona viruses not so keen on mutations are like the influenza viruses. “

Coronavirus: This is how the patients cured in Schwabing

Nine of the first 14 corona patients in Germany were treated in the Schwabing hospital – all of them from the “Webasto cluster”. Employees of the Starnberg company were infected by Chinese colleagues. “All nine patients I’m fine, they are considered cured, ”says Wendtner, who is still in contact with them. As in many other cases, they had the disease after about cured for two to three weeks, and no viruses were detectable in at least two swab tests.

However, the infection is not always so mild. “In the beginning, every infected person was treated in the clinic. In the meantime, due to the abundance of infections – in accordance with the authorities as everywhere in Germany – we only accept patients show the symptomshave complaints, ”explains Wendtner. “About two thirds of these patients are treated in isolation in a normal ward, about a third of those affected need intensive care become. At the moment, there are six of 19 Covid patients who are cared for in Schwabing. ”

Coronavirus: after infection – can you be infected again?

Encouraging news: There is growing evidence that one can survive a corona infection cannot reconnect. “We currently assume that these patients are immune. However, we have to keep a close eye on the process for a few months, ”says Wendtner. His team has now managed to Detect antibodies in the blood of recovered patients. “Although they still carry corona viruses, they are no longer contagious,” reports the infectiologist. Now it’s about a safe, mass-marketable Antibody test to develop. That could be a key to sparing more people from precautionary isolation.

Coronavirus: what new symptoms are there?

Fever, cough and shortness of breath are known as the typical symptoms – but about half of the patients develop, according to Professor Wendtner also disorders of the sense of smell and taste. “This disorder lasts for several days, but then disappears,” says the infectiologist. “We suspect that the coronaviruses infiltrate special receptors and olfactory cells.” The symptoms are now said to be in collaboration with the ENT specialists at Munich Clinic Schwabing examined more closely become.

Corona: Is it possible to get infected while shopping?

Anyone who goes shopping in the supermarket has to go there no massively increased risk of infection to fear. “The decisive factor is disciplined compliance with the hygiene rules – that is no physical closeness in the aisles, keep your distance at the cash register, cough in the crook of your arms, wash your hands afterwards. “If you follow the hygiene rules, then you actually need no face mask and no glovesWendtner advises. The fear of infection from contaminated packaging is also unfounded. “The new types of corona viruses have no long survival time on packaging. Infection from a smear infection – for example, a few splashes of cough secretion on the noodle pack or tiny droplets of nasal mucus on the tomato – is very unlikely. “

Coronavirus: These are the dangerous rumors

The worst Fakenews in Wendtner’s eyes: “Some people claim that the corona crisis should not be taken seriously, after all there have always been corona viruses – for example with cows and camels. Such statements are irresponsible. Because we are talking about a completely new type of virus, which only belongs to the family of corona viruses, but with the known pathogens not to compare in the slightest is. “

Corona virus: “Younger people can die of it too”

But the misconception always persists, that the virus only seriously affects older people. they are especially vulnerable – especially if you suffer from previous illnesses. “Fortunately, most patients have had mild symptoms so far, especially the younger ones. But we also have to be honest: Corona not only meets the old, it can also tear younger people out of life. They can get so seriously ill that they need ventilation, deaths are also in this age group not excludedWendter warns. “At the moment, our intensive care unit in Schwabing also has Covid 19 patients aged well under 50.” Their number will increase significantly. “All clinics now have to use every minute and all their capacities to prepare as well as possible for the situation to worsen.

If infections continue to increase, we will see a lot more younger patients with severe courses – Similar to Italy. ”The background: According to expert estimates, we have a time advantage in Germany compared to Italy of about two weeks. If we do not use it, we are at risk similar numbers of cases as in Lombardy. “That is why we all have to take the threat very, very seriously and absolutely adhere to the rules for containment of the virus,” the infectiologist warns.

* Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network

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