More than 93% of Da Nang’s patients with COVID-19 are presenting with mild symptoms, and they are under home-based isolation and care to recover from the illness. Such patients should strictly observe guidance and advice from healthcare professionals and not eat food of unknown origin and not use non-prescription drugs to treat COVID-19.

Local residents rushing to buy lemongrass, lemon, ginger, garlic for steam inhalation for COVID-19 prevention and treatment. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, many people in Da Nang rushed to wet markets and shopping centers to buy herbs for steam inhalation to protect them against COVID-19 or treat COVID-19. Therefore, such herbs for steam inhalation as lemongrass, ginger, lemon, and garlic are the most sold products in Da Nang.

Doctor Nguyen Minh Son, the Chairman of the Da Nang Association of Oriental Medicine, said that the Ministry of Health has issued its latest guidance on combining Eastern and Western medicine practices to treat COVID-19.

Steam inhalation which is an age-old therapy is often used for the treatment of the viral infections of the respiratory tract such as common cold or croup because of the theorized effects of heat and humidity on respiratory viruses, nasal secretions, inflammation, and airflow. Right now, doctors are using general treatment measures to control the symptoms of COVID-19, but there's not yet a specific cure. Therefore, steam inhalation therapy can be a contemporary approach for COVID-19 affected patients of all age groups to manage respiratory conditions, said Doctor Son.

However, Doctor Son warned against steam inhalation as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 or COVID-19 treatment measure without medical advice as steam inhalation therapy may pose the risk of burning or scalding from steam or water that's too hot.

Doctor Son recommends that it is important to replace the fluids lost from sweating after steam inhalation as dehydration can result from fluid loss while sweating. He also warns that steam inhalation can have serious side effects both on skin and in our respiratory tract. Patients should seek medical advice before overuse of home remedies.

Besides, Molnupiravir is a product that the FDA is allowing to be given for emergency use to treat COVID-19. It is used by adults 18 years of age and older who have recently tested positive for coronavirus, have had mild to moderate symptoms for no more than 5 days and are not hospitalized. Molnupiravir should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset.

Da Nang health authorities are advising the public across the city to not buy or use Molnupiravir without doctors’ advice, or not use the drug with unknown origin.

According to the Da Nang Department of Health, Molnupiravir is being used to treat COVID-19 patients at local healthcare facilities in line with the recommendations from the Ministry of Health. Molnupiravir is available by prescription only at pharmacies nationwide.

Molnupiravir is available by prescription only at pharmacies across Da Nang. IN PHOTO: People buy medicines to treat COVID-19 at a pharmacy in the city. Photo: LE HUNG

The Drug Administration of Viet Nam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health on February 17 issued the list of three COVID-19 treatment medicines containing the active ingredient Molnupiravir, which had been granted certificates of registration for conditional circulation. The three authorized medicines are Molravir 400mg produced by Boston Vietnam Pharma, Movinavir 200 mg manufactured by Mekophar Chemical Pharmaceutical, and Molnupiravir Stella 400mg produced by Stellapharm J.V Co., Ltd.

Molnupiravir is not authorized for use in patients younger than 18 years of age because molnupiravir may affect bone and cartilage growth. Molnupiravir may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant individuals. Therefore, molnupiravir is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Females of childbearing potential are advised to use a reliable method of birth control correctly and consistently during treatment with molnupiravir and for four days after the final dose. Males of reproductive potential who are sexually active with females of childbearing potential are advised to use a reliable method of birth control correctly and consistently during treatment with molnupiravir and for at least three months after the final dose.

Doctor Tran Thanh Thuy, the Acting Director of the Da Nang Department of Health recommends that COVID-19 patients should follow the doctor's recommendations about care and home isolation. They should carefully monitor themselves for worsening symptoms, and call the doctor if symptoms appear to be getting worse. Especially, older adults and people of any age with existing medical conditions should call their doctor as soon as symptoms start. These factors put people at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

Use of a home pulse oximeter is recommended for COVID-19 patients under home-based isolation and care, especially those who has risk factors for severe illness with COVID-19 and COVID-19 symptoms. The device can help check breathing by measuring how much oxygen is in the blood. A reading of less than 92% might increase the need for hospitalization. Doctor Thuy also recommends hydrating, proper nutrition, and listening to the body are key in recovery. In addition, COVID-19 patients should keep a positive mindset and following careful instructions from health providers.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - LE HUNG – Translating by H.L