On December 12, Guangzhou held an interview session on rational medicine use when infected with COVID-19.

How to treat asymptomatic and mild cases?

According to Zhang Zhongde, vice president of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and president of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are several subtypes of infection with the coronavirus.

For asymptomatic infections, young infections with no symptoms and underlying diseases could do self-monitoring without necessarily taking medicine.

For older patients with underlying medical conditions, common medicines are helpful for colds and sore throats. Follow local doctors' instructions.

Mild-type infections may have a sore throat, fever, headache, body aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Those people can choose the appropriate medications according to the guidelines to identify whether you are wind-heat, phlegm-dampness, or wind-cold cold.

Normal-type COVID-19 patients should go to fever clinics and sub-designated hospitals for treatment.

How to distinguish between "wind-heat cold" and "wind-cold cold"?

Zhang advised distinguishing the cold types according to the symptoms. "Wind-cold cold causes sneezing, runny nose, and throat is a little itchy instead of ache. However, the symptoms of a wind-heat cold are headache, joint ache, fever, sore throat, cough and even sound a bit hoarse, dry stool."

"In terms of medication, people can choose some commonly used ones according to the pathology, or you can consult the local traditional Chinese physicians," advised Zhang.

Liu Juyan, deputy general manager and chief engineer of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL), also mentioned some symptoms and medications. "If patients have symptoms such as obvious sore throat, fever, muscle aches, weakness or cough, it is better to take medicines such as Antiviral Oral-Liquid (抗病毒口服液), Xia sang ju granules (夏桑菊颗粒), Qing kai ling granules (清开灵颗粒), and Xiao chai hu granules (小柴胡颗粒). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi (藿香正气) is appropriate for the symptoms of weakness, gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea."

What are the differences between Ibuprofen and Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)?

Although both are common fever relievers and painkillers, there are some differences. Mei Qinghua, director of the Department of Pharmacy at Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, mentioned that Acetaminophen works faster than Ibuprofen but is less effective.

Acetaminophen has a relatively short half-life period and is recommended to be taken once in every 4-6 hours; Ibuprofen has a long half-life and should be taken less often in a day.

Moreover, Acetaminophen has a relatively more significant effect on liver function and a more negligible effect on kidney function; Ibuprofen has the opposite effects.

"Take the symptoms into your consideration. For example, the elderly should pay attention to their liver and kidney functions when choosing medicines. We recommend not taking Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen over 3 days to relieve fever; and not over 5 days for joint aches and muscle aches. Therefore, storing these medicines for a week's supply is enough", Mei Qinghua also reminded.

Medicine for aching all over when infected

Wang Xinhua, former president of Guangzhou Medical University, suggested that "for patients who have pains all over, we recommend traditional Chinese medicine or Chinese patent medicine if it's not particularly unbearable."

When choosing Chinese patent medicines, residents can consider taking San Han Hua Shi Granules (散寒化湿颗粒), Jiuwei Qianghuo Granules (九味羌活颗粒), Lianhua Qingwen (连花清瘟), Tou Jie Qu Wen Granules (透解祛温), Antiviral Oral-Liquid (抗病毒口服液), etc. Unlike wind-cold colds, it is not recommended to use too many drugs that are pungent in flavor and warm in nature for relieving exterior syndromes.

For pain, you can take some antipyretic and pain relievers such as Ibuprofen to relieve your symptoms.

Must-know for Ibuprofen:

1. It should be taken after meals to avoid gastrointestinal reactions.

2. It should be taken for at most 3 days.

3. Not suitable for allergic persons, pregnant women, or during lactation.

Meanwhile, some Chinese patent medicines contain antipyretic and analgesic ingredients, such as Aspirin and Paracetamol. Therefore, please read the instructions carefully before taking medicine to avoid taking them simultaneously.

Some antipyretic and analgesic drugs, such as Ibuprofen, are symptomatic drugs that can temporarily relieve the symptoms and fever. Still, it does not mean that your condition turns better. Therefore, please keep yourself warm, rest well, and adjust your diet.

Children with a temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius can use antipyretic drugs

Peng Xiaoqing, the deputy director of the pharmacal department of Guangzhou First People's Hospital, reminded residents to notice the ingredients of compound medicines and avoid mix-using.

For children, mild and asymptomatic infections can be home-cared. For children with a temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius or having acute symptoms, give them antipyretic drugs. Pediatric Ibuprofen is safe for children over 6 months.

Children under 3 years old take one tablet every 6 to 8 hours, and those over 3 years old take one every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 4 times a day. For children under 3 years old, drip dosage of Ibuprofen would be a better choice for easy feeding. Pediatric Ibuprofen Suppositories can be used for children who have difficulty in feeding.

Source from GDToday

Edited by IEC