Mild Cases Use Antipyretics, Severe Cases Use HIV Medication... Treatment Details of 22 Fully Recovered Patients

On the 11th, at the National Medical Center Research Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, Bang Ji-hwan, TF Team Leader (Director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Operations Center), explained the clinical treatment status amid the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases during the Central Clinical Task Force (TF) briefing. From left to right: Jin Beom-sik, Infectious Disease Specialist at the National Medical Center; Bang Ji-hwan, TF Team Leader (Director of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital Operations Center); Kim Yeon-jae, Infectious Disease Specialist at the National Medical Center; and Park Jun-seon, Researcher at the Life Resources Center. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon, Jo Hyun-ui] A significant number of domestic patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) overcame the disease through conservative treatment (symptomatic treatment such as antipyretics). Patients with severe pneumonia symptoms or those at risk of worsening to severe pneumonia were treated with Kaletra, an AIDS virus (HIV) medication, which reportedly improved their symptoms.

On the 25th, Asia Economy analyzed the treatment status of 22 patients who had been declared recovered so far and confirmed that conservative treatment and the AIDS virus medication were effective. Conservative treatments were used for patients with relatively mild symptoms, while Kaletra was administered to elderly patients with relatively poor conditions. Kim Nam-jung, head of the Infection Control Center at Seoul National University Hospital, which treated patient number 1 who had severe pneumonia symptoms, stated, "About one-third of the confirmed patients who were declared recovered at Seoul National University Hospital used Kaletra, and the rest received conservative treatment." Conservative treatment refers to symptomatic therapy such as prescribing antipyretics when there is a fever, and administering fluids and oxygen.

◆Some Effect Confirmed for Severe Patients with Kaletra = Kaletra, confirmed to have treatment effects, is a combination drug containing lopinavir and ritonavir, which inhibits the activity of enzymes (proteases) necessary for HIV replication. Director Kim said, "The attending medical staff administered Kaletra when there was a risk of pneumonia progressing to a severe stage depending on the patient's condition," adding, "However, since it has not been proven that Kaletra is effective for COVID-19 treatment, it cannot be guaranteed 100%."

Myongji Hospital, which treated patient number 6 whose pneumonia had progressed, also used Kaletra in about one out of three recovered patients. Professor Shin Hyun-young of Myongji Hospital’s Department of Family Medicine said, "Kaletra was used for patients who were at risk of pneumonia progressing to a severe level." Kaletra has also been used in other countries for COVID-19 treatment. The Thai Ministry of Public Health announced on the 2nd that they treated a 71-year-old Chinese female COVID-19 patient with a combination of HIV antiviral drugs and observed treatment effects. The medical staff who treated the patient explained, "A negative result was obtained in the virus test just 48 hours after administering the medication."

◆Experts: "Malaria Treatment Drugs May Also Be Effective" = Earlier, the COVID-19 Central Clinical Task Force (currently the Central Clinical Committee for Emerging Infectious Diseases), composed of infectious disease experts, recommended using malaria drugs such as chloroquine when treating elderly and severe patients. However, since chloroquine is not distributed domestically, they advised using hydroxychloroquine instead. Nonetheless, hospitals treating confirmed patients mainly used Kaletra. Professor Shin said, "Kaletra was used instead of chloroquine," adding, "Although chloroquine is a drug that can be used as a first-line treatment, it will be used if Kaletra is in short supply." Professor Kim also explained, "Kaletra was administered to patients during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea, whereas chloroquine has rarely been used for human treatment," and "For these reasons, Kaletra is used."

Meanwhile, quarantine authorities stated that there is currently no shortage of Kaletra and hydroxychloroquine. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, emphasized on the 23rd, "There is no shortage of drugs at present, and distribution is underway in some regions," adding, "We will manage supply and demand to ensure sufficient drug procurement." She also said, "Discussions are ongoing regarding the effectiveness of Ebola or novel influenza treatments, and some countries have stockpiled Ebola treatments," and "We will thoroughly secure and manage treatment drugs in consultation with clinical experts according to treatment guidelines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.