The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has begun to consider whether to allow the use of "antibody cocktail therapy" that can be used in mildly ill patients with the new coronavirus.
Regarding this, the doctor who visits the home caregiver points out that "the advantages and disadvantages of this therapy should be balanced and the correct decision should be made."
Regarding "antibody cocktail therapy" that can be used for mildly ill patients, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has begun to consider whether to allow it to be used in home visits under the direction of Prime Minister Kan.
Regarding this therapy, Dr. Ryo Kikuchi, the representative of the group of doctors who visit home care patients, "Fast Doctor", assumes that it should be administered in a place with a sufficient system such as a hospital or accommodation treatment facility.
On top of that, "Antibody cocktail therapy is expected to be highly effective in preventing aggravation, but when the number of patients is rapidly increasing, it is possible to miss the time while adjusting the medical institutions that can receive the drug. In order to prevent such disadvantages, we are positively considering creating a system that allows administration even at home. "
On the other hand, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, an estimated 5,800 people have been administered by the 21st of last month, and 27 people, or 0.46%, have reported serious symptoms with suspected side effects.
Regarding this, he said, "I am worried about what to do if a major side effect occurs in an environment where medical resources are limited, such as at home. I must take the risk to the patient seriously." The timing when should be utilized is in a phase such as a disaster when the infection is spreading, and the advantages and disadvantages should be balanced to make the right decision. "
Woman receiving antibody cocktail therapy "Symptoms disappeared in about 3 days"
A woman in her twenties in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, had a fever in late July and was found to be infected with the new coronavirus.
Since the woman originally had an underlying disease of asthma, she was recommended to be hospitalized by the health center and was to receive "antibody cocktail therapy" at a hospital in the ward.
When she was hospitalized, she had pneumonia and had not been vaccinated, so she was worried that she would not get sick. It means that I was able to leave the hospital.
The woman said, "I was worried about the new drug, but the infusion ended in a blink of an eye, and I was spending my time believing that the drug would work. About three days later, my symptoms disappeared and I was able to spend my time as usual after discharge. I'm happy. I'm not sure that I won't get infected in the future, so I'd like to spend my time not to get it again. "