What are the treatment

options for COVID-19?

There are several, and which one is best depends on how sick

someone is.

For example, steroids such as dexamethasone can lower the risk

of dying for severely ill patients. But they may do the opposite for those who

are only mildly ill.

In the United States, no treatments are specifically approved for COVID-19, but a few have been authorised for emergency use and several more are being considered. A panel of experts convened by the National Institutes of Health updates guidelines as new studies come out.

Here’s what’s advised for

various patients:

— Not hospitalised or hospitalised but not needing extra oxygen: No specific drugs recommended, and a warning against using steroids.

— Hospitalised and needing extra oxygen but not a breathing machine: The antiviral drug remdesivir, given through an IV, and in some cases also a steroid.

— Hospitalised and on a breathing machine: Remdesivir and a steroid.

What about convalescent plasma, an infusion of blood from a

COVID-19 survivor that contains antibodies that fight the virus? Not enough is

known to recommend for or against it, the guidelines say.

However, enough is known to advise against hydroxychloroquine

and certain drugs that affect the immune system — multiple studies have found

them ineffective against the coronavirus.

Aside from drugs, doctors have learned more about ways to treat hospitalised patients, such as putting them on their bellies and other measures that may prevent the need for breathing machines.