[chris (OP)]

Steve wrote to say:

Hi, I listened to your piece on the Jeremy Vine radio show today Tuesday 7th about the affect of corvid-19 on the lungs, and how the immune system can over react to the attack on the lungs. I have pulmonary sarcoidosis where there is a similar immune response. It may seem counter intuitive but that is treated with immuno suppressants, in my case prednisolone. Is this a possible treatment for the virus at the point that the immune system works against the patient?
Best regards, Steve.

What do you think?

[chris (OP)]

Hi Steve

You are absolutely right, and, in fact, there is a trial going on at the moment to test whether low dose immunosuppression - using the drug dexamethasone - is of benefit to people with covid-19. This is called the RECOVERY trial and it's being coordinated by researchers at Oxford University.

The goal is to recruit large numbers of patients and randomise them to a range of possible treatments and then follow up their outcomes. By studying large numbers of cases, it's hoped that a clear picture of possible benefits (or dysbenefits) will emerge.