Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: set fair on 21/03/2020 12:01:19
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Their figures look out of step with the rest of Europe. 20,581 cases, just 17 deaths and only 2 patients serious or critical. What medication are they using? And (for conspiracy buffs) why aren't the UK media splashing this story.
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This is most likely to be a statistical artefact of the testing.
The Germans have tested a lot of healthier people, including a lot of people from ski resorts.
Fitter, younger people tend to go skiing; older people in poor health do not (they board the Diamond Princess). So although the detection rate is high, the risk of severe disease is low, giving the impression that Germany is somehow special.
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I believe it is a combination of a number of factors.
Germany probably has methodical testing compared to other places as they have more time as there epedemic is not as advanced, so they test everyone not just the seriously sick.
The other factor I believe is the fact that in colder northern climes i think that more of the populace has already perished in prior pandemics ie flu as the climate is colder. Basically the THEORY is that there is a vaccine that protects people from such things for years, those in warmer climates have less harsh conditions, so there is a populace that is sustained on warm conditions and vaccines. When a bad virus comes with no vaccine this sustained populace succumes all at once, meaning numerous deaths, warmer climates having a greater number of vunerable people due to there extended life span.
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Thanks.
Not claiming this to be factual, I am just guessing. From the few accounts I have read of Brits who have had this illness, there is no mention of their having been given a prescription or medication. Perhaps the Gemans took seriously the experience based records of treatment v recovery rate which the Chinese published (from the middle of January). Maybe Germany is medicating everyone who tests positive.
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Thanks.
Not claiming this to be factual, I am just guessing. From the few accounts I have read of Brits who have had this illness, there is no mention of their having been given a prescription or medication. Perhaps the Gemans took seriously the experience based records of treatment v recovery rate which the Chinese published (from the middle of January). Maybe Germany is medicating everyone who tests positive.
I do not think so. Japan and korea are interesting, they are still experiencing a few cases, but through disinfection quarantine and testing you can limit the spread. It is easy for them versus mainland europe as they are real or virtual islands anyway. Britian is for that matter. Germany appears to have tried the testing method but having a continental position it is difficult for them. Germany Korea and Japan also have far better healthcare spending and provision than the uk spain or italy, so the medication is probably treatment.
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Not claiming this to be factual,
Good.
Maybe Germany is medicating everyone who tests positive.
Maybe, but, if they were, don't you think such a policy would have made the news?
Also, medicating with what?
I have heard assertions that some drugs might help (or hinder) recovery but that's about all.
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Thanks.
Not claiming this to be factual, I am just guessing. From the few accounts I have read of Brits who have had this illness, there is no mention of their having been given a prescription or medication. Perhaps the Gemans took seriously the experience based records of treatment v recovery rate which the Chinese published (from the middle of January). Maybe Germany is medicating everyone who tests positive.
I do not think so. Japan and korea are interesting, they are still experiencing a few cases, but through disinfection quarantine and testing you can limit the spread. It is easy for them versus mainland europe as they are real or virtual islands anyway. Britian is for that matter. Germany appears to have tried the testing method but having a continental position it is difficult for them. Germany Korea and Japan also have far better healthcare spending and provision than the uk spain or italy, so the medication is probably treatment.
In South Korea they are certainly going at it hammer and tongs. In addition to the measures you list they are treating the patients with hydroxychloriquine, they have published their dosage regime. I don't know if they were persuing test and treat or drugs only when patients are admitted to hospital.
Personally I think test and treat is the only way to go. We don't reserve chemo therapy only for cancer patients who are at death's door.