COVID-19 severity, shedding duration, prognosis all vary person-to-person

COVID-19 viral shedding can last up to 49 days in exceptional cases, according to a new paper published in China. As new studies shed light on the variable impact of the virus on different patients, doctors are trying to draw up a picture of risk factors to guide public health work. That includes studying how underlying health conditions interact with COVID-19 and the drugs used to treat it. Due to the side effects of COVID-19 drugs, those with heart problems are considered to be a high risk group.A new study from China claims a man with COVID-19 had an unusually long viral shedding period of 49 days, the highest yet recorded. Some say it may be a new mutation of the virus.Huang Li-minInfectious Diseases Society of TaiwanThis new coronavirus has many unusual cases. Patients with mild symptoms do not necessarily have a lower viral load than those with severe symptoms. Generally, the more severe, the higher the viral load, but this is not well established for COVID-19. Moreover, the duration of viral shedding is not connected to the severity of symptoms.The risk of a severe case increases significantly for those with obesity or cardiovascular disease, regardless of age. But the current treatments, remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine, are far from miracle cures.Huang Li-minInfectious Diseases Society of TaiwanIt depends when you start using quinine, and how advanced the disease is when you start. The earlier you start, the better. You also have to look at the immune system of the person, and whether they have underlying health conditions. All of those affect the success of the treatment.Doctors say that the specific properties of the drugs have to be considered. Remdesivir works by inhibiting the reproduction of COVID-19''s viral chains, while hydroxychloroquine blocks the virus from infecting human cells, forcing it to die off.Huang Li-minInfectious Diseases Society of TaiwanThe side effect of the main ingredient of hydroxychloroquine, quinine, is that it disturbs the heart rate. If you have a heart problem to begin with, or you are taking other drugs that also destabilize your heart, you should not take quinine, in case it should really cause a problem that could be fatal.Doctors warn that although quinine is available without a prescription, it has serious side effects. They''re urging against stockpiling the drug, saying it is not a magic cure for COVID-19 and is dangerous when taken incorrectly or in excess.