Off Topic Coronavirus

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kiwiqpr said:
Found this on the BBC staines




Reality Check

Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction
By Reality Check team and BBC MonitoringBBC News
  • 17 March 2020
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Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Stories have been circulating online suggesting it's dangerous to take ibuprofen if you have coronavirus. Alongside genuine medical advice, false messages have been spreading, distorting the facts.

Speaking to the BBC, medical professionals said that ibuprofen is not recommended for managing coronavirus symptoms.

The NHS says that, while "there is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (Covid-19) worse, until we have more information take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you."

Those already taking ibuprofen for other conditions should not stop without consulting a doctor, though.

Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can bring a temperature down and help with flu-like symptoms. But ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not suitable for everyone and can cause side-effects - especially for people with asthma, heart and circulatory problems.

ADVERTISEMENT
The NHS website previously recommended both paracetamol and ibuprofen, but has since changed its advice.

There is also some evidence linking ibuprofen to more severe illness from other respiratory infections.

False stories
But whatever the advice, there's still been a great deal of misinformation online. Bogus messages have been circulating on WhatsApp claiming that:

• "There are four young people in an intensive care unit in Cork who have no underlying illnesses - all were taking anti-inflammatories and there are concerns this has caused a more severe illness" (false)

• The University of Vienna has sent a memo warning people with coronavirus symptoms not to take ibuprofen, "because it has been discovered that it increases the speed of reproduction of the coronavirus Covid-19 in the body and this is the reason why people in Italy have reached the current bad stage and rapid spread" (false)

• "At the university hospital in Toulouse, France, there are four very critical cases of coronavirus in [young people] who do not have any health problems. Their problem is that when they all appeared to have symptoms, they all took painkillers like ibuprofen" (false)

These stories circulating on WhatsApp are also appearing on different platforms including Instagram.

Commonly these kinds of copied-and-pasted texts will claim to be from someone the forwarder says they know, often with a medical background.

All these claims are false
The Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland said a WhatsApp message circulating about coronavirus patients in Cork is "a fake message", asking anyone who receives it to "ignore and delete".


Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland@IDSIreland

It has come to our attention that there is a WhatsApp message being circulated purporting to be from the ID consultants in Cork, all of whom are members of @IDSIreland. It's signed Dr Tim. This is a fake message, please ignore and delete. Thanks.


899
7:07 AM - Mar 16, 2020
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End of Twitter post by @IDSIreland

Toulouse University Hospital warned that inaccurate information was circulating on social networks, saying it would not have discussed the care of patients due to medical confidentiality.

So what do we know about ibuprofen and Covid-19?
There has been no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus (Covid-19).

But there has been some for other respiratory infections, suggesting ibuprofen is linked to more complications and more severe illness, according to Paul Little, a professor of primary care research at University of Southampton.

Experts believe that ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties may "dampen" the body's immune response.

Prof Parastou Donyai at the University of Reading says: "There are many studies that suggest ibuprofen use during a respiratory infection can result in worsening of the disease or other complications."

But, she says, "I have not seen any scientific evidence that clearly shows a totally healthy 25 year old taking ibuprofen for symptoms of COVID-19 is putting themselves at additional risk of complications."

Although we don't yet know whether ibuprofen has a particular effect on the severity or length of illnesses caused by coronavirus - either in healthy people or those with underlying conditions - Dr Charlotte Warren-Gash, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, especially for vulnerable patients, "it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice".

You must log in or register to see images
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionParacetamol has sold out in many pharmacies
The spreading of rumours has led to confusion
Worries over the use of ibuprofen appear to have surfaced in France, after Jean-Louis Montastruc, a doctor at Toulouse University Hospital warned on Twitter that: "In this period of coronavirus, it is necessary to remember the risk of complications of the NSAIDs in case of fever or infection."

A subsequent tweet by France's health minister, Olivier Veran, saying that anti-inflammatory drugs "could be an aggravating factor of the infection" was shared more than 43,000 times. But he also said people should consult a doctor before stopping taking them.

Other tweets are also being shared including one saying that ibuprofen "may cause severe cases of the disease, even in young and middle-aged adults with no underlying conditions" which has been shared more than 94,000 times on Twitter.

You must log in or register to see images
Image copyrightFACEBOOK
Image captionMany people on social media appeared to have "a doctor in the family" with inside information
A lack of clear consensus on the issue from the medical profession has led to mixed messages and rumours spreading online, and the University of Vienna laboratory claim noted earlier seems to have taken on a life of its own in both English and German.

Twitter and Facebook posts - which seem to be cut-and-pasted and adapted by users - all claim to have a "doctor in the family" who has information from the Vienna lab that "the vast majority of people who died of Covid-19 had ibuprofen in their system". Some of the posts go on to claim that coronavirus "thrives on ibuprofen". There is no evidence that this is the case.

This online rumour also appeared on German-language WhatsApp as voice message and text messages. These messages typically claimed to be from a young mother saying that the Vienna lab had researched Covid-19 deaths in Italy and found that the majority had self-medicated with ibuprofen. The message offers no specific evidence to back up its claims, according to German pharmaceutical news website aponet.de. "Such a pattern is typical of conspiracy theories," it concludes.

Reporting by Rachel Schraer, Jack Goodman and Alistair Coleman

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**** me, have you posted the whole of the BBC website there?
 
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kiwiqpr said:
Found this on the BBC staines




Reality Check

Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction
By Reality Check team and BBC MonitoringBBC News
  • 17 March 2020
You must log in or register to see images
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Stories have been circulating online suggesting it's dangerous to take ibuprofen if you have coronavirus. Alongside genuine medical advice, false messages have been spreading, distorting the facts.

Speaking to the BBC, medical professionals said that ibuprofen is not recommended for managing coronavirus symptoms.

The NHS says that, while "there is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (Covid-19) worse, until we have more information take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you."

Those already taking ibuprofen for other conditions should not stop without consulting a doctor, though.

Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can bring a temperature down and help with flu-like symptoms. But ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not suitable for everyone and can cause side-effects - especially for people with asthma, heart and circulatory problems.

ADVERTISEMENT
The NHS website previously recommended both paracetamol and ibuprofen, but has since changed its advice.

There is also some evidence linking ibuprofen to more severe illness from other respiratory infections.

False stories
But whatever the advice, there's still been a great deal of misinformation online. Bogus messages have been circulating on WhatsApp claiming that:

• "There are four young people in an intensive care unit in Cork who have no underlying illnesses - all were taking anti-inflammatories and there are concerns this has caused a more severe illness" (false)

• The University of Vienna has sent a memo warning people with coronavirus symptoms not to take ibuprofen, "because it has been discovered that it increases the speed of reproduction of the coronavirus Covid-19 in the body and this is the reason why people in Italy have reached the current bad stage and rapid spread" (false)

• "At the university hospital in Toulouse, France, there are four very critical cases of coronavirus in [young people] who do not have any health problems. Their problem is that when they all appeared to have symptoms, they all took painkillers like ibuprofen" (false)

These stories circulating on WhatsApp are also appearing on different platforms including Instagram.

Commonly these kinds of copied-and-pasted texts will claim to be from someone the forwarder says they know, often with a medical background.

All these claims are false
The Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland said a WhatsApp message circulating about coronavirus patients in Cork is "a fake message", asking anyone who receives it to "ignore and delete".


Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland@IDSIreland

It has come to our attention that there is a WhatsApp message being circulated purporting to be from the ID consultants in Cork, all of whom are members of @IDSIreland. It's signed Dr Tim. This is a fake message, please ignore and delete. Thanks.


899
7:07 AM - Mar 16, 2020
Twitter Ads info and privacy

620 people are talking about this



Report
End of Twitter post by @IDSIreland

Toulouse University Hospital warned that inaccurate information was circulating on social networks, saying it would not have discussed the care of patients due to medical confidentiality.

So what do we know about ibuprofen and Covid-19?
There has been no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus (Covid-19).

But there has been some for other respiratory infections, suggesting ibuprofen is linked to more complications and more severe illness, according to Paul Little, a professor of primary care research at University of Southampton.

Experts believe that ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties may "dampen" the body's immune response.

Prof Parastou Donyai at the University of Reading says: "There are many studies that suggest ibuprofen use during a respiratory infection can result in worsening of the disease or other complications."

But, she says, "I have not seen any scientific evidence that clearly shows a totally healthy 25 year old taking ibuprofen for symptoms of COVID-19 is putting themselves at additional risk of complications."

Although we don't yet know whether ibuprofen has a particular effect on the severity or length of illnesses caused by coronavirus - either in healthy people or those with underlying conditions - Dr Charlotte Warren-Gash, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, especially for vulnerable patients, "it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice".

You must log in or register to see images
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionParacetamol has sold out in many pharmacies
The spreading of rumours has led to confusion
Worries over the use of ibuprofen appear to have surfaced in France, after Jean-Louis Montastruc, a doctor at Toulouse University Hospital warned on Twitter that: "In this period of coronavirus, it is necessary to remember the risk of complications of the NSAIDs in case of fever or infection."

A subsequent tweet by France's health minister, Olivier Veran, saying that anti-inflammatory drugs "could be an aggravating factor of the infection" was shared more than 43,000 times. But he also said people should consult a doctor before stopping taking them.

Other tweets are also being shared including one saying that ibuprofen "may cause severe cases of the disease, even in young and middle-aged adults with no underlying conditions" which has been shared more than 94,000 times on Twitter.

You must log in or register to see images
Image copyrightFACEBOOK
Image captionMany people on social media appeared to have "a doctor in the family" with inside information
A lack of clear consensus on the issue from the medical profession has led to mixed messages and rumours spreading online, and the University of Vienna laboratory claim noted earlier seems to have taken on a life of its own in both English and German.

Twitter and Facebook posts - which seem to be cut-and-pasted and adapted by users - all claim to have a "doctor in the family" who has information from the Vienna lab that "the vast majority of people who died of Covid-19 had ibuprofen in their system". Some of the posts go on to claim that coronavirus "thrives on ibuprofen". There is no evidence that this is the case.

This online rumour also appeared on German-language WhatsApp as voice message and text messages. These messages typically claimed to be from a young mother saying that the Vienna lab had researched Covid-19 deaths in Italy and found that the majority had self-medicated with ibuprofen. The message offers no specific evidence to back up its claims, according to German pharmaceutical news website aponet.de. "Such a pattern is typical of conspiracy theories," it concludes.

Reporting by Rachel Schraer, Jack Goodman and Alistair Coleman

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More coronavirus myths to ignore
Full article More coronavirus myths to ignore
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Why is Trump so keen on malaria drug to treat coronavirus?
Full article Why is Trump so keen on malaria drug to treat coronavirus?
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What are countries doing to protect people?
  • 19 March 2020
  • From the sectionWorld
Full article What are countries doing to protect people?
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India's 1.3bn people to enter 'total lockdown'Italy virus deaths rise but infections slow againWuhan to ease lockdown as world battles virus
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Stranded abroad as coronavirus closes borders

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Is this textile city set to be 'India's Italy'?

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Why Trump wants US open for business despite pandemic

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Melbourne celebrates vivid sunrise 'amid the chaos'

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US-China contagion: The battle behind the scenes

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Life under coronavirus lockdown in Rome

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Teen figure skater's Special Olympics dream

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Interesting reading mate.....one of your better shared articles for sure ;)
 
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ELLERS said:
But did we Watford?
I have already said that the Chinese cleared us out of gloves and masks.
The WHO said "NO COUNTRY COULD HAVE PREPARED FOR THIS"
A Scientist on Sky News as I am typing has just said "there is not a country in the World who could have prepared for enough ventilators".
Last week the UK scientists said they have been working for weeks on a vaccine. I posted it after I saw the story
Today they have a new hospital being prepared in London with 2000 well needed beds.
Many retired staff are coming in to help.
Army delivering masks to hospitals.

What exactly do you expect?

Sadly, as I said in an earlier post that there are people sitting around waiting to strike at the government before all the full facts are in.
Click to expand...

Aside from the history of cuts to our health infrastructure.

What exactly were we doing while the deaths crept up in Italy? Preparing for Cummings’ preferred herd immunity. There was so much opposition to it from health professionals and we persevered while they were piling bodies up in churches in Milan. Look how much has been achieved in a short space of time. It’s been an incredible effort but so many people could have been saved had politicians acted faster rather than trusting the scientists giving them their confirmation bias rather than all the others.
 
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West WindsR said:
Aside from the history of cuts to our health infrastructure.

What exactly were we doing while the deaths crept up in Italy? Preparing for Cummings’ preferred herd immunity. There was so much opposition to it from health professionals and we persevered while they were piling bodies up in churches in Milan. Look how much has been achieved in a short space of time. It’s been an incredible effort but so many people could have been saved had politicians acted faster rather than trusting the scientists giving them their confirmation bias rather than all the others.
Click to expand...
As I said you will get your chance to attack the government after. For now you argument has too many flaws.
As for the herd... you have been believing those Guardian articles again Watford. The chief medical spokeswomen said 2 days ago that they have been advising the government all along and they have been listening... Now if she has been telling lies (for a chief doctor) then that will come out but TBH I believe her.
I was waiting for 'Cummings' to get a mention <doh> actually <doh><doh>
I blame Blair for what they did to these kids at school.
 
Staines R's said:
That’s strange.....we are definitely now advising people NOT to take IBP as it’s allegedly can do harm when having COVID......as I say, no firm evidence but purely anecdotal
Click to expand...

I have repeatedly heard doctors say that ibuprofen should not be taken when infected with the virus.
This is apparently because the body needs to be inflamed to help fight it and ibuprofen is an anti-enflametary.
 
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rangercol said:
I have repeatedly heard doctors say that ibuprofen should not be taken when infected with the virus.
This is apparently because the body needs to be inflamed to help fight it out ibuprofen is an anti-enflametary.
Click to expand...

Yes mate, that follows the new guidelines.....however, and it seems backed up by the BBC article, there is no clear evidence that will do any harm if taken with COVID and is purely anecdotal. I guess it’s better safe than sorry.
The problem is we are running out of Paracetamol
 
Staines R's said:
Yes mate, that follows the new guidelines.....however, and it seems backed up by the BBC article, there is no clear evidence that will do any harm if taken with COVID and is purely anecdotal. I guess it’s better safe than sorry.
The problem is we are running out of Paracetamol
Click to expand...

Yeah, haven't seen a packet of paracetamol for weeks now.
Thanks for everything you guys are doing.
 
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Staines R's said:
That’s strange.....we are definitely now advising people NOT to take IBP as it’s allegedly can do harm when having COVID......as I say, no firm evidence but purely anecdotal
Click to expand...
Even if not harmful ibuprofen wouldn’t do much good for a fever would it? I thought it was for muscle and other pain, paracetamol for colds and flu etc.
 
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ELLERS said:
As I said you will get your chance to attack the government after. For now you argument has too many flaws.
As for the herd... you have been believing those Guardian articles again Watford. The chief medical spokeswomen said 2 days ago that they have been advising the government all along and they have been listening... Now if she has been telling lies (for a chief doctor) then that will come out but TBH I believe her.
I was waiting for 'Cummings' to get a mention <doh> actually <doh><doh>
I blame Blair for what they did to these kids at school.
Click to expand...

I look forward to the inquiry.

If you don’t think Cummings has a significant input you’re deluded.
 
@@@@ I just got a Facebook message from my friend who is a NHS worker in London.
Her job is caring for the sick mentally handicapped. :emoticon-0106-cryin
 
rangercol said:
Yeah, haven't seen a packet of paracetamol for weeks now.
Thanks for everything you guys are doing.
Click to expand...

I read that most stocks in the UK could run out by next week thanks to panic buying and the fact that India have stopped exporting it at present. Will be a big problem as it’s what you need to bring down the temperature. Adding to the fact that if babies get too hot it could lead to a seizure, due to the fact they can’t sweat....it’s not a good combination.
 
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West WindsR said:
I look forward to the inquiry.

If you don’t think Cummings has a significant input you’re deluded.
Click to expand...
Will that be after the Russian one... or the Iraq one?
People put too much attention on Cummings. I would rather believe what those medical people have all said TBH. They are not doing this for political reason mate.
 
sb_73 said:
Even if not harmful ibuprofen wouldn’t do much good for a fever would it? I thought it was for muscle and other pain, paracetamol for colds and flu etc.
Click to expand...

Indeed mate. Safe to take both together usually and a good combination with flu, Paracetamol for the temperature, Ibuprofen for the aches and pains that you get with proper flu (stagger them if you can)
One thing I will add is the number of people I go to who have a fever but are wrapped up in 20 layers, a thick duvet and heating on full blast.YES you will feel cold but your body is tricking you.....strip down to bare minimum, sleep with a sheet over you if you must and when you start to cool down you will start to feel an improvement.
 
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And another tip from me is don’t bother going for the expensive brands of Paracetamol that supposedly target certain types of pain and are meant to be far better than their cheaper equivalent...it’s just Paracetamol (with maybe a few additions). You’re being ripped off
 
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Staines R's said:
Indeed mate. Safe to take both together usually and I good combination with flu, Paracetamol for the temperature, Ibuprofen for the aches and pains that you get with proper flu (stagger them if you can)
One thing I will add is the number of people I go to who have a fever but are wrapped up in 20 layers, a thick duvet and heating on full blast.YES you will feel cold but your body is tricking you.....strip down to bare minimum, sleep with a sheet over you if you must and when you start to cool down you will start to feel an improvement.
Click to expand...
Ibuprofen is something I steer clear of as it can be bad for the kidneys (or my my case kidney]. Paracetamol isn’t great for the liver but at least that can repair itself (he writes, taking another swing of beer).
 
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