¿Son seguros o efectivos algunos remedios caseros para el coronavirus?

If you or someone you care about come down with coronavirus (COVID-19), it's natural to want to do whatever you can to speed up the recovery process. But whilst it's tempting to Google miraculous claims and 'cure alls', it's vital to check your facts and follow medical advice before trying an alternative approach.

Proceda con precaución

Just because a product or practice is labelled as natural, herbal or antiviral doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. And mega-dosing or misusing substances purported to fight infection can be dangerous.

The level of misinformation on coronavirus is so widespread that the Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHO) has published a response. It busts some of the common myths that have been circulating about unconventional treatments. These include adding large amounts of pepper to your food, ingesting disinfectant, excessive alcohol consumption and subjecting yourself to excessively high or low temperatures. None of these so-called 'cures' will kill coronavirus and most are likely to do you serious harm.

Otros tratamientos antivirales potencialmente peligrosos que están circulando incluyen inhalar vapor de yodo a través de una pipa de sal e ingerir plata coloidal. Ambos pueden ser tóxicos cuando son absorbidos por el cuerpo. El vapor de yodo también es intensamente irritante para las membranas mucosas. Puede causar opresión en el pecho, dolores de cabeza y afectar negativamente los pulmones y las membranas nasales.

Michael Head is a senior research fellow in global health, at the University of Southampton. "Colloidal silver can cause your skin to turn a blue-grey colour (argyria)," he adds. "Misinformation can be very dangerous. Be very wary of individuals making claims that are not recommended by the NHS or a widely recognised professional body or society."

There is currently no specific medical treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19). However, you can aliviar los síntomas en casa using standard medical treatments if you have leve a moderada illness. Getting plenty of sleep, comer saludablemente and managing estrés levels can also help your body fight the infection.

Algunos remedios caseros menos controvertidos también podrían valer la pena probar.

Paracetamol vs ibuprofeno

At the beginning of the pandemic, news reports suggested that anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofeno, may make coronavirus worse. Current orientación del gobierno is that it is safe to take, although Dr Alex Standring, a GP at Dr Morton’s - la línea de ayuda médica, insta a la precaución.

"Although the evidence is that ibuprofen is safe, I'd suggest taking paracetamol if you have a fever linked to COVID-19. It is less likely to interact with other medications ," she says.

Head añade: "Las preocupaciones iniciales sobre el ibuprofeno parecen haber sido infundadas, y de hecho hay investigaciones en curso para ver si el ibuprofeno es realmente efectivo en el tratamiento de pacientes con COVID-19."

A new form of ibuprofen may well be useful in the later stages of COVID-19 infection. Scientists in London are currently testing whether a particular type of ibuprofen called Flarin can help COVID-19 patients. The drug is produced differently to standard ibuprofen and protects the stomach. It may help patients avoid respiratory failure and the need for aggressive intervention such as ventilation. The LIBERATE trial is being led by Dr. Richard Beale and is a collaboration between London's Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London and SEEK, a proprietary drug research firm.

Vitaminas y minerales

There's plenty of evidence that nutrients from the food we eat can support the immune system, helping to prevent infection and aid recovery. Vitamins B6, C, D and zinc help keep invaders out and support the production of immune cells and antibodies.

"We don't have any real evidence that los suplementos vitamínicos are effective specifically against COVID-19 or other viruses," says Standring, "But certainly being seriously depleted in vitamins and minerals will adversely affect health.

"Some colds may be due to coronaviruses, and zinc has been shown to reduce the duration of colds," she continues. "Also, many people in the UK are likely to be deficient in vitamina D, ya que necesitamos mucha luz solar para producirlo de manera natural. Por lo tanto, suplementar con vitamina D, especialmente durante los meses de invierno, podría ser beneficioso para algunos." La guía del Reino Unido, modificada desde la pandemia de COVID-19, ahora recomienda que todos los mayores de 1 año consideren un suplemento diario de 10 microgramos de vitamina D.

Some 'alternative health' websites suggest that taking vitamin C to bowel tolerance levels (until you get diarrea) es un medio eficaz para eliminar un virus del cuerpo.

"Es poco probable que la vitamina C sea perjudicial en dosis más altas," dice Standring, "Es soluble en agua y simplemente se elimina en la orina. Pero aún no está claro si tomar más de la cantidad diaria recomendada es beneficioso."

Head dice que no hay evidencia de efectos protectores o beneficiosos de la vitamina C. "Y aunque las asociaciones entre la vitamina D y el COVID-19 son interesantes, solo tenemos correlaciones, y aún no hay evidencia de causalidad," dice.

Interestingly, a ensayo clínico basado en China is determining whether mega doses of vitamin C can help counter COVID-19-related pneumonia. The study, which uses doses of up to 24 grams a day, will publish its results in September.

Hierbas y suplementos alimenticios

Herbs and spices such as garlic, ginger, echinacea and turmeric have long been used to tratar infecciones. El ajo contiene alicina, un compuesto que ayuda a las células inmunitarias a combatir a los invasores microbianos.

"El ajo es excelente para la microflora intestinal como prebiótico," dice Standring. "Puede apoyar a las buenas bacterias intestinales que a su vez respaldan el sistema inmunológico, ¡pero no consumiría cantidades masivas!"

Head also suggests an age-old remedy for a dolor de garganta. "Hacer gárgaras o una cucharadita de miel están dentro de las recomendaciones del NHS para aliviar síntomas como el dolor de garganta. Cabe señalar que no matarán el virus en sí, pero pueden ayudar a que el paciente se sienta un poco más cómodo."

A research study using herbs to treat COVID-19 is currently underway in the USA, headed up by Jeffrey Langland, a virologist and assistant research professor at Arizona's Centro de Biodesign para Inmunoterapia, Vacunas y Viroterapia. Pero no se esperan resultados durante algunos meses.

"La evidencia aún no está disponible para usar hierbas en el tratamiento de infecciones graves," dice Sandring. "Incluso si algunas muestran tener un efecto positivo, el problema son los efectos secundarios potencialmente peligrosos y la toxicidad."

Pérdida del olfato y el gusto is now included on the official list of COVID-19 symptoms. If you've lost your sentido del olfato after a coronavirus infection and are concerned, it's worth trying 'smell training' at home, advises Standring.

"We think COVID-19 and other coronaviruses damage the nerve endings in the nose in some people," she explains. "The 'smell training' can help to restore normal function. Organisations such as Abscent teach you how to do this by using essential oils to re-awaken your smell sensors."

En general, las personas pueden esperar recuperar su sentido del olfato y del gusto dentro de un par de semanas después de recuperarse de una infección por coronavirus.

"Y para aquellos con problemas a largo plazo, la experiencia con otros virus sugiere que dos tercios recuperarán su sentido del olfato y el gusto en un año más o menos, lo cual es una buena noticia," añade Standring.