POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC AVENUES FOR COVID-19 THERAPY

Abstract

Covid-19, an infectious disease caused by coronavirus spreads by salivary droplets or nasal discharge from an infected person during sneezing or coughing. This infectious disease is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS CoV-2 shares the same structure with that of the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Most of the people who are infected with Covid-19 will experience respiratory illness and can be treated with antiviral drugs and or a combination of antiviral drugs and supportive therapies. Many medical investigational approaches are being investigated to design possible treatment strategies and possible avenues for Covid-19 therapy. Potential strategies for the treatment of Covid-19 include antiviral medication, the combination of interferons and antiviral drugs, interleukin inhibitors. Recent studies show that the use of plasma from survivors can help patients in recovering from the disease. This approach of using plasma is termed as convalescent plasma therapy. Another newer technology that includes the construction of a recombinant vaccine is gaining importance for further investigation. The other major approaches include the therapeutic use of serine protease inhibitors, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ammonium chloride in definite doses. New study approaches include investigation on the production of monoclonal antibodies has gained a way for further clinical research. An effective supportive therapy includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could be considered as rescued therapy for the patients having respiratory distress. After sufficient clinical data is obtained and by taking all these approaches into consideration, the treatment protocol can be designed to treat Covid-19 successfully.