Word: interferon
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...Ribavirin's side effects, which include anemia, become dangerous at prolonged high dosages. Moreover, laboratory tests in the U.S. suggest that ribavirin may actually do nothing to the coronavirus. Scientists are exploring other antivirals?such as interferon, which boosts the immune system?or even HIV drugs?such as protease inhibitors, which block an enzyme the virus needs to replicate. But too little is known about the coronavirus to predict the effectiveness of these other drugs...
Gwaltney's favorite combo is a curious mix of high-and low-tech treatments: a quick squirt into the nose of the biotech drug interferon, followed by two over-the-counter pills--an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) and a so-called first-generation antihistamine like chlorpheniramine (such as Chlor-Trimeton). The interferon primes the immune system to unleash its antiviral defenses while the ibuprofen and the chlorpheniramine keep the inflammatory processes under control...
...drawbacks of this approach is the high cost of interferon. Gwaltney estimates that at today's prices the doses needed to treat a cold would set you back $200 (although interferon may eventually go generic, which should bring costs down). Another problem is that chlorpheniramine makes many people very sleepy, so you should not drive a car or operate machinery while treatments are under way. For reasons that are unclear, the nondrowsy antihistamines that work for allergies don't seem as effective against colds...
Until then, stock up on your tissues, chicken soup and favorite cold remedies. Wash your hands to keep from spreading any cold germs. Even in the absence of inexpensive interferon, both ibuprofen and chlorpheniramine are pretty good at treating a cold's symptoms in those who can tolerate the drugs. The jury's still out on whether vitamin C, echinacea or zinc works, but don't forget that most marvelous of all home remedies: a good night's sleep...
Hepatitis C, like hepatitis B, seems to be transmitted most often through sexual contact or tainted blood. Hepatitis C, however, is much more likely to lead to serious complications. No vaccine is available, but last week researchers in Germany reported that giving interferon at the earliest stages of a hepatitis-C infection dramatically increases the chances of clearing the virus from the body...