...and there will be various conflicting advice - even formal advice - coming at us all from various sources. It's hard, but it's often part of a health pathway. Par for the course. We just have to use as much common sense as possible - fact checking from the best sources, waiting for clearer advice to be agreed upon, not panicking. The authorites (govts, doctors, WHO, surgeries, profs etc) are working this out as we go, just like we all are.
Charlotte Warren-Gash, associate professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen “should be prescribed with caution for people who have underlying health conditions”.
“For Covid-19, research is needed into the effects of specific NSAIDs among people with different underlying health conditions, which takes into account the severity of infection. In the meantime, for treating symptoms such as fever and sore throat, it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice.”
Dr Rupert Beale, group leader in cell biology of infection at The Francis Crick Institute, said: “There is good reason to avoid ibuprofen as it may exacerbate acute kidney injury brought on by any severe illness, including severe Covid-19 disease.
“There isn’t yet any widely accepted additional reason to avoid it for Covid-19.”
Public Health England confirmed there is not enough information on ibuprofen use and Covid-19 to advise people to stop using ibuprofen.
There is also no published scientific evidence that ibuprofen increases the risk of catching Covid-19 or makes the illness worse.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with some symptoms of the new coronavirus, including raised temperature, headache and other pains. You should always follow the instructions on the label and make sure you do not exceed the stated dose.
Patients prescribed NSAIDs for long-term health problems should take them as directed by a healthcare professional.
Update 17 March 2020
This piece was updated following changes to the NHS guidance for people with Covid-19 symptoms.
By Pippa Allen-Kinross
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The more I read about this, the more difficult it is to be sure of the truth. It is already known that NSAIDs may be bad for you if you have heart disease, so it may just be that the drugs don't make COVID worse, but make the underlying condition worse.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
However, Muge Cevik, MD, MSc, MRCP, a researcher at the University of St. Andrews Infection and Global Health Division, noted that there is no evidence of a link between NSAIDs and worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19.7 Cevik tweeted, “there’s no scientific evidence I am aware of that ibuprofen [causes worse] outcomes in #COVID19."
It is clear that this is not simple.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
As I understand it, I am in the "vulnerable 70s" group, with a mortality rate of 8%. So - If - IF - I contract the virus, I have an 8% chance of dying. Turning this on its head - I have a 92% chance of surviving. My glass is a bit more than half full. I am still very, very concerned, but am trying hard not to be spooked by all the negative information out there. However, I have sufficient in my larder and my freezer to keep OH and me going for about 3 weeks. I have not (will not) panic buy. Isolated at home, I tried to organise home delivery for three weeks hence. No time slots available. Now that is scary.
A friend has passed this on to me. I think we all understand that many people are losing their livelihoods, so it's simple kindness to think of them and sign the petition.
Well done , greenbird, believe nothing until you’ve checked it out. go by NHS or WHO for info, not a friend of a friends cousin who know ‘about things’ I don’t know what these people get out of it, must get a kick somewhere.
+1
I know people mean well, but link to an authoritative source or don’t post 😐
Stories have been circulating online suggesting it's dangerous to take ibuprofen if you have coronavirus. Alongside genuine medical advice, false messages have been spreading, distorting the facts.
Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can bring a temperature down and help with flu-like symptoms.
But ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not suitable for everyone and can cause side-effects - especially for people with asthma, heart and circulatory problems.
The NHS website previously recommended both paracetamol and ibuprofen, but has since changed its advice to say that while "there is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (Covid-19) worse... until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you."
The NHS also says that people who are already taking ibuprofen on the advice of a doctor, should not stop taking it without checking first.
Although we don't yet know whether ibuprofen has a particular effect on the severity or length of illnesses caused by coronavirus - either in healthy people or those with underlying conditions - Dr Charlotte Warren-Gash, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, especially for vulnerable patients, "it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice".
But whatever the advice, there's still been a great deal of misinformation online. Bogus messages have been circulating on Whatsapp claiming that:
• "There are four young people in an intensive care unit in Cork who have no underlying illnesses - all were taking anti-inflammatories and there are concerns this has caused a more severe illness"
• The University of Vienna has sent a memo warning people with coronavirus symptoms not to take ibuprofen, "because it has been discovered that it increases the speed of reproduction of the coronavirus Covid-19 in the body and this is the reason why people in Italy have reached the current bad stage and rapid spread"
• "At the university hospital in Toulouse, France, there are four very critical cases of coronavirus in [young people] who do not have any health problems. Their problem is that when they all appeared to have symptoms, they all took painkillers like ibuprofen"
These stories circulating on Whatsapp are also appearing on different platforms including Instagram.
Commonly these kinds of copied-and-pasted texts will claim to be from someone the forwarder says they know, often with a medical background.
All these claims are false
The Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland said a WhatsApp message circulating about coronavirus patients in Cork is "a fake message", asking anyone who receives it to "ignore and delete".
Toulouse University Hospital warned that inaccurate information was circulating on social networks, saying it would not have discussed the care of patients due to medical confidentiality.
There has been no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
But there has been some for other respiratory infections, suggesting ibuprofen is linked to more complications and more severe illness - although we don't know that the ibuprofen itself is causing this, according to Paul Little, a professor of primary care research at University of Southampton.
Some experts believe that ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties may affect the body's immune response.
Prof Parastou Donyai at the University of Reading says: "There are many studies that suggest ibuprofen use during a respiratory infection can result in worsening of the disease or other complications."
Image copyrightAFP
Image captionFrench health minister Olivier Veran (R) said "taking anti-inflammatory drugs could be an aggravating factor of the infection"
The spreading of rumours has led to confusion
Worries over the use of ibuprofen appear to have surfaced in France, after Jean-Louis Montastruc, a doctor at Toulouse University Hospital warned on Twitter that: "In this period of coronavirus, it is necessary to remember the risk of complications of the NSAIDs in case of fever or infection."
A subsequent tweet by France's health minister, Olivier Veran, saying that anti-inflammatory drugs "could be an aggravating factor of the infection" was shared more than 43,000 times. But he also said people should consult a doctor before stopping taking them.
Other tweets are also being shared including one saying that ibuprofen "may cause severe cases of the disease, even in young and middle-aged adults with no underlying conditions" which has been shared more than 94,000 times on Twitter.
Image copyrightFACEBOOK
Image captionMany people on social media appeared to have "a doctor in the family" with inside information
A lack of clear consensus on the issue from the medical profession has led to mixed messages and rumours spreading online, and the University of Vienna laboratory claim noted earlier seems to have taken on a life of its own in both English and German.
Twitter and Facebook posts - which seem to be cut-and-pasted and adapted by users - all claim to have a "doctor in the family" who has information from the Vienna lab that "the vast majority of people who died of Covid-19 had ibuprofen in their system". Some of the posts go on to claim that coronavirus "thrives on ibuprofen". There is no evidence that this is the case.
This online rumour also appeared on German-language WhatsApp as voice message and text messages. These messages typically claimed to be from a young mother saying that the Vienna lab had researched Covid-19 deaths in Italy and found that the majority had self-medicated with ibuprofen. The message offers no specific evidence to back up its claims, German aponet.de pharmaceutical news website says. "Such a pattern is typical of conspiracy theories," it concludes.
Reporting by Rachel Schraer, Jack Goodman and Alistair Coleman
Nowhere does this document state that there is no increased risk to individuals. try telling the families of the 3000 people who have died so far, that there is no increased risk. Clearly you do not have any idea what you are talking about and my concern is that other people may be influenced by what you say.
You are lying, and I don’t know why. Please stop it, and stop trying to spread fear.
I’ve quoted them for you, you have read it.
I have linked it for you, you have read it.
If you have a problem with what the Chief Medical Officers have said, please take it up with them. I won’t discuss this with you anymore.
WAS I TELLING LIES THEN?
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Nowhere does this document state that there is no increased risk to individuals. try telling the families of the 3000 people who have died so far, that there is no increased risk. Clearly you do not have any idea what you are talking about and my concern is that other people may be influenced by what you say.
You are lying, and I don’t know why. Please stop it, and stop trying to spread fear.
I’ve quoted them for you, you have read it.
I have linked it for you, you have read it.
If you have a problem with what the Chief Medical Officers have said, please take it up with them. I won’t discuss this with you anymore.
Posts
Charlotte Warren-Gash, associate professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen “should be prescribed with caution for people who have underlying health conditions”.
“For Covid-19, research is needed into the effects of specific NSAIDs among people with different underlying health conditions, which takes into account the severity of infection. In the meantime, for treating symptoms such as fever and sore throat, it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice.”
Dr Rupert Beale, group leader in cell biology of infection at The Francis Crick Institute, said: “There is good reason to avoid ibuprofen as it may exacerbate acute kidney injury brought on by any severe illness, including severe Covid-19 disease.
“There isn’t yet any widely accepted additional reason to avoid it for Covid-19.”
Public Health England confirmed there is not enough information on ibuprofen use and Covid-19 to advise people to stop using ibuprofen.
There is also no published scientific evidence that ibuprofen increases the risk of catching Covid-19 or makes the illness worse.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with some symptoms of the new coronavirus, including raised temperature, headache and other pains. You should always follow the instructions on the label and make sure you do not exceed the stated dose.
Patients prescribed NSAIDs for long-term health problems should take them as directed by a healthcare professional.
Update 17 March 2020
This piece was updated following changes to the NHS guidance for people with Covid-19 symptoms.
The more I read about this, the more difficult it is to be sure of the truth. It is already known that NSAIDs may be bad for you if you have heart disease, so it may just be that the drugs don't make COVID worse, but make the underlying condition worse.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
It is clear that this is not simple.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Turning this on its head - I have a 92% chance of surviving. My glass is a bit more than half full.
I am still very, very concerned, but am trying hard not to be spooked by all the negative information out there.
However, I have sufficient in my larder and my freezer to keep OH and me going for about 3 weeks. I have not (will not) panic buy. Isolated at home, I tried to organise home delivery for three weeks hence. No time slots available. Now that is scary.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/coronavirus-a-temporary-universal-basic-income-for-everyone?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blast2020-03-17
I have a dream that my.. children.. one day.. will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character
Martin Luther KingI know people mean well, but link to an authoritative source or don’t post 😐
Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction
Stories have been circulating online suggesting it's dangerous to take ibuprofen if you have coronavirus. Alongside genuine medical advice, false messages have been spreading, distorting the facts.
Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can bring a temperature down and help with flu-like symptoms.
But ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not suitable for everyone and can cause side-effects - especially for people with asthma, heart and circulatory problems.
The NHS website previously recommended both paracetamol and ibuprofen, but has since changed its advice to say that while "there is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (Covid-19) worse... until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you."
The NHS also says that people who are already taking ibuprofen on the advice of a doctor, should not stop taking it without checking first.
Although we don't yet know whether ibuprofen has a particular effect on the severity or length of illnesses caused by coronavirus - either in healthy people or those with underlying conditions - Dr Charlotte Warren-Gash, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says, especially for vulnerable patients, "it seems sensible to stick to paracetamol as first choice".
But whatever the advice, there's still been a great deal of misinformation online. Bogus messages have been circulating on Whatsapp claiming that:
• "There are four young people in an intensive care unit in Cork who have no underlying illnesses - all were taking anti-inflammatories and there are concerns this has caused a more severe illness"
• The University of Vienna has sent a memo warning people with coronavirus symptoms not to take ibuprofen, "because it has been discovered that it increases the speed of reproduction of the coronavirus Covid-19 in the body and this is the reason why people in Italy have reached the current bad stage and rapid spread"
• "At the university hospital in Toulouse, France, there are four very critical cases of coronavirus in [young people] who do not have any health problems. Their problem is that when they all appeared to have symptoms, they all took painkillers like ibuprofen"
These stories circulating on Whatsapp are also appearing on different platforms including Instagram.
Commonly these kinds of copied-and-pasted texts will claim to be from someone the forwarder says they know, often with a medical background.
All these claims are false
The Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland said a WhatsApp message circulating about coronavirus patients in Cork is "a fake message", asking anyone who receives it to "ignore and delete".
Toulouse University Hospital warned that inaccurate information was circulating on social networks, saying it would not have discussed the care of patients due to medical confidentiality.
So what do we know about ibuprofen and Covid-19?
There has been no research into ibuprofen and the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
But there has been some for other respiratory infections, suggesting ibuprofen is linked to more complications and more severe illness - although we don't know that the ibuprofen itself is causing this, according to Paul Little, a professor of primary care research at University of Southampton.
Some experts believe that ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties may affect the body's immune response.
Prof Parastou Donyai at the University of Reading says: "There are many studies that suggest ibuprofen use during a respiratory infection can result in worsening of the disease or other complications."
The spreading of rumours has led to confusion
Worries over the use of ibuprofen appear to have surfaced in France, after Jean-Louis Montastruc, a doctor at Toulouse University Hospital warned on Twitter that: "In this period of coronavirus, it is necessary to remember the risk of complications of the NSAIDs in case of fever or infection."
A subsequent tweet by France's health minister, Olivier Veran, saying that anti-inflammatory drugs "could be an aggravating factor of the infection" was shared more than 43,000 times. But he also said people should consult a doctor before stopping taking them.
Other tweets are also being shared including one saying that ibuprofen "may cause severe cases of the disease, even in young and middle-aged adults with no underlying conditions" which has been shared more than 94,000 times on Twitter.
A lack of clear consensus on the issue from the medical profession has led to mixed messages and rumours spreading online, and the University of Vienna laboratory claim noted earlier seems to have taken on a life of its own in both English and German.
Twitter and Facebook posts - which seem to be cut-and-pasted and adapted by users - all claim to have a "doctor in the family" who has information from the Vienna lab that "the vast majority of people who died of Covid-19 had ibuprofen in their system". Some of the posts go on to claim that coronavirus "thrives on ibuprofen". There is no evidence that this is the case.
This online rumour also appeared on German-language WhatsApp as voice message and text messages. These messages typically claimed to be from a young mother saying that the Vienna lab had researched Covid-19 deaths in Italy and found that the majority had self-medicated with ibuprofen. The message offers no specific evidence to back up its claims, German aponet.de pharmaceutical news website says. "Such a pattern is typical of conspiracy theories," it concludes.
Reporting by Rachel Schraer, Jack Goodman and Alistair Coleman
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
You are lying, and I don’t know why. Please stop it, and stop trying to spread fear.
I’ve quoted them for you, you have read it.
I have linked it for you, you have read it.
If you have a problem with what the Chief Medical Officers have said, please take it up with them. I won’t discuss this with you anymore.
WAS I TELLING LIES THEN?
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border