Q&A Is taking ibuprofen a risk and can I get the virus a second time?
Q I’VE heard some people say I should avoid taking ibuprofen if I get Covid-19, because it might worsen my symptoms. Are they right, and if so what should I take?
A THERE have been worrying ‘reports’ spread via social media that young people who took ibuprofen for Covid-19 ended up in hospital – but these were quickly found to be false.
However, earlier this month in France a health minister did warn against taking ibuprofen, and some experts admit there is a theoretical risk.
It is known that ibuprofen can have a mild dampening effect of the immune system, and there is also a greater risk of side effects such as stomach and kidney problems, although this is generally only if taken long term, or if the patient has preexisting conditions.
For these reasons, the NHS advice was changed last week to recommend those with Covid-19 symptoms take paracetamol, rather than ibuprofen.
Professor Parastou Donyai, director of pharmacy practice at the University of Reading, said: ‘The cautious approach is to avoid ibuprofen with Covid-19 – if at all possible – especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.
‘Anyone who thinks they might have Covid-19 should use paracetamol instead of ibuprofen for managing fever, unless told otherwise by their doctor or pharmacist.
‘People already prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen for a health condition should ask their doctor’s opinion.
‘Don’t just stop your medication.’
Q DO our intensive care hospital units really not have enough ventilators to cope with Covid-19? Car manufacturers can just make more for us, right?
A DR Al Edwards, from the University of Reading’s School of Pharmacy, says: ‘One of the critical shortages has indeed been of equipment to treat severely ill patients who can’t get enough oxygen.
‘Even extremely advanced health systems can be rapidly – and catastrophically – overloaded by Covid-19. We’ve seen this happen in Italy.
‘Although it is possible to improvise and use our amazing ingenuity to make things quickly and at scale, it’s not easy for car manufacturers to make more ventilators.
‘But experts and manufactures across the country can come together and overcome barriers to respond to this crisis.
‘By far the most effective thing we can all do, to ensure there’s enough equipment for everyone, is to do everything we can to slow the spread of the disease, minimising the number of people who need ventilators.’
Q IF I get Covid-19, then recover, will I be immune from ever getting it again?
A DR Jeremy Rossman, honorary senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent, says: ‘There have not been any verified cases of re-infection.
‘So it is likely that, if you do get the virus, you will be immune.
‘However, we do not know how long you would be immune for – it could be a few months, years or life.
‘The timing all depends on the virus staying the same, and not mutating.
‘Even if you get life-long immunity, if the virus changes, you might no longer be immune.
‘This is what happens with the flu and why we need to get a new jab every year.
‘Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see how long the immune response lasts and what the virus does.’
Q DO we know how long a person with Covid-19 is infectious for – before and after symptoms appear?
A PROFESSOR Liam Smeeth, a GP and professor of clinical epidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says: ‘Unfortunately, people are likely to be infectious for a few days before they develop symptoms.
‘This makes it much harder to control the virus and is one of the reasons why it is so good at spreading.
‘People can have and spread the virus, despite feeling well.
‘Infectiousness tends to peak when symptoms appear, before it tails off. ‘
After the seven-day selfisolation period, if their temperature is normal, they shouldn’t be infectious any more.’