In Nice, a 28-year-old young man who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain after being operated on for a herniated disc, died of coronavirus. According to the doctors, it was this taking of medication which would have aggravated the symptoms and which would have led to his death.
An alert from the Minister of Health
In a tweet of March 14, 2020, the Minister of Health Olivier Véran had advised against taking anti-inflammatories during this period of exposure to the coronavirus, commonly used to relieve symptoms in the event of pain and fever in winter ailments. . On the grounds that they might aggravate the infection. Explanations.
“Covid-19: Taking anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, cortisone, etc.) could be a factor in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already on anti-inflammatories or if in doubt, ask your doctor for advice.“, he posted on the platform.
What drugs are these?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended in case of fever or respiratory signs linked to the coronavirus. These include, among others, ibuprofen (marketed under the trademarks Advil, Antarene, Brufen, Hemagene, Ibupradoll, Intralgis, Nurofen, Nureflex, Spedifen, Spifen, Upfen) and ketoprofen (Profenid, Ketum, Toprec). Cortisone is also part of the list of molecules to avoid.
But beware: patients treated long-term with corticosteroids, especially asthmatics, should not stop them. If in doubt, ask your doctor for advice by requesting a teleconsultation.
Why are they dangerous?
The action of these drugs decreases the response of the immune system. They are said to have an “immunosuppressive” effect, which potentially promotes infections. Alexandre Bleibtreu, infectious disease doctor at Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris, told France Info that during the outbreak in Mers, “the addition of corticosteroids worsened the prognosis and led to complications with bacterial infections“. Their action could also cover the symptoms of Covid-19.
Where does this information come from?
This precaution follows an observation by the medical profession. In intensive care, doctors found that young people with no apparent comorbidities had developed severe forms of coronavirus and consumed anti-inflammatories in parallel, explains the site of the Parisian.
What should I take in case of pain and fever?
Prefer the alternative of paracetamol to anti-inflammatories. In case of pain and / or fever, you can therefore take Doliprane, which is not dangerous for your immune system. But respect the prescribed doses, because too much of it can become dangerous for the liver. If in doubt, contact your doctor.
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