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Several thousand people around the world suffer from “Covid long” after infection with the Sars-Cov-2 virus. Scientists studied the case of two women, who saw their symptoms reduced by taking antihistamines. Is this the miracle treatment expected by these patients? Dr. Gérald Kierzek advocates caution.
The long Covid affects some people who, after being affected by the virus, only partially recover. Other symptoms, which vary according to the patient, persist and the latter continue to feel them and to suffer from them for many months after the initial contamination, without having any remedy to relieve them. Could antihistamines be the solution?
A case report involving two patients
This is the question posed by researchers at the University of Irvine, California in the United States. They published in the scientific journal straight science the case of two middle-aged women, with long Covid. These two patients used over-the-counter antihistamines to treat their allergies and noticed an improvement in their symptoms on a daily basis. They felt less tired and felt an improvement in their cognitive impairment. In addition, their symptoms, “chest pain, headache, rash and bruising for one, joint and abdominal pain, rash and lesions called blue toes for the other” have faded. So much so that both felt “have regained their pre-covid faculties to 90 or even 95% “, detail the researchers.
The long Covid, still poorly known
Asked about the issue, Dr. Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo remains cautious. “It is difficult to draw conclusions on two cases. These two patients suffer from symptoms that persist following their Covid-19 infection, but it is still difficult to give a clear and definitive definition of long Covid. Is the virus partially reactivating? Is it an immune system reaction? A psycho-somatic reaction? Nobody knows” first explains the specialist.
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No miracle cure in medicine
Regarding the effects of antihistamines, “they reduce inflammation and the action of histamine, which would perhaps explain the improvement in the symptoms experienced by these patients. But beware, there is never a miracle drug in medicine, this must not encourage people affected by the long Covid to go buy it! warns Dr. Kierzek.
“What I advise these people is to consult their doctor to talk about their symptoms and follow a clear and reliable diagnostic process. The reassuring side is that there is no serious long Covid” concludes the doctor.