Biden gets Covid as symptoms and treatment revealed
After testing positive for Covid, Joe Biden has stopped taking his heart medication as he battles the virus while White House doctors revealed just what antivirals he will be given.
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US President Joe Biden’s stopped his use of heart medications after he began to take Paxlovid to the coronavirus, White House officials have confirmed.
According to the New York Post, medical experts had expressed concern about Mr Biden’s potential use of blood thinner Eliquis to treat atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat condition, while he takes Paxlovid to battle the coronavirus. Mr Biden also takes Crestor to lower his cholesterol.
“I had a conversation about this with Dr [Kevin] O’Connor. There are two medicines he’s on, Eliquis and Crestor … both of which need to be stopped when you take Paxlovid,” White House coronavirus co-ordinator Dr Ashish Jha told reporters.
“It’s a very standard, common thing that we do when we give people Paxlovid,” Dr Jha said.
“You don’t need to do anything in those circumstances. They both get stopped for the five days that he’s on Paxlovid and then they get restarted and it’s totally fine and pretty normal practice.”
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) In the US, recognises Paxlovid as potentially interacting negatively with other anticoagulant medications, but not specifically Eliquis — though manufacturers advise caution about mixing the two drugs.
Dr Brett Giroir, a paediatrician who served as the high-profile assistant secretary of health during the Trump administration, told Fox News that the adjustment of medication would be necessary.
An update from me: pic.twitter.com/L2oCR0uUTu
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 21, 2022
“He is on blood thinners — that anticoagulant. And when you’re on Paxlovid, that Paxlovid really affects the levels of that blood thinner,” Dr Giroir said. “So they’re going to have to alter that during the course [of treatment] and make sure that he doesn’t get too thin of blood that he could bleed, but not too thick of blood that he can get a clot.”
Dr Giroir said that Mr Biden easily could be off his cholesterol medications for a few days, but warned that “it would be more of a problem to be off his blood thinners, which he really does need.”
Dr Marc Siegel, of New York University’s Langone Medical Centre, told Fox News that he would advise reducing, but not eliminating, the use of Mr Biden’s blood thinner.
“As far as the medications, again, stop the cholesterol drug for sure, and cut down on the blood thinner,” Dr Siegel said.
Both Dr Giroir and Dr Siegel said Mr Biden’s gaffe-laden speech earlier this week in Massachusetts, in which he incorrectly said he has cancer, may have been a result of mind fog caused by the coronavirus.
“Maybe some of his comments yesterday about having cancer — really that could have been from his brain fog from having Covid. This is very, very common. It occurs in the majority of people,” Dr Giroir said.
‘MILD SYMPTOMS’
Early on Thursday local time the White House announced Mr Biden had tested positive for Covid, adding that the 79-year-old leader was experiencing “mild symptoms” and would carry out his full duties while isolating at the White House.
“He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms,” the White House said in a statement, adding that Biden had begun taking Pfizer’s anti-Covid pill Paxlovid.
“Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.
“He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence.”
The president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, said in a morning statement that Mr Biden “is currently experiencing mild symptoms, mostly rhinorrhea (or ‘runny hose’) and fatigue, with an occasional dry cough, which started yesterday evening.”
Mr Biden tweeted a photo of himself, saying, “Folks, I’m doing great. Thanks for your concern. Just called [Pennsylvania Sen. Bob] Casey, Congressman [Matt] Cartwright, and [Scranton] Mayor [Paige] Cognetti (and my Scranton cousins!) to send my regrets for missing our event today. Keeping busy!”
A raspy-voiced Mr Biden released a video message Thursday afternoon, saying, “Hey folks, I guess you heard. This morning I tested positive for Covid.”
“But I’ve been double-vaccinated and double-boosted, the symptoms are mild and I really appreciate your inquiries and your concerns. But I’m doing well and getting a lot of work done, gonna continue to get it done.”
Biden, standing on the Truman Balcony, signed off saying, “Thanks for your concern and keep the faith. It’s going to be okay.”
At 79, Mr Biden is the oldest-ever American president and his advanced age puts him at elevated risk of serious illness or death, though he has received four shots of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, reducing the risk.
Mr Biden had managed to evade the virus for more than two-and-a-half years of the coronavirus pandemic.
But this year, Mr Biden has regularly hosted mask-free interactions with guests at the White House and shaken hands with people at events across the nation and world, reports the New York Post.
Mr Biden’s diagnosis comes just over four days after he returned from Saudi Arabia where he sought to repair relations with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in exchange for greater oil production to lower high gas prices. He had previously sought to sideline the prince over his role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Since March 2020, the coronavirus has killed more than one million Americans. But the current strains have shown to be fatal largely among those who are unvaccinated.
Former president Donald Trump tested positive for Covid in October 2020 and was hospitalised for three nights.
The virus swirled around Mr Biden repeatedly this year without him catching it.
In April, a large number of prominent Democrats tested positive for the virus, including Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Attorney-General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Ms Harris’ communications director Jamal Simmons.
Mr Biden was scheduled to make a trip on Thursday local time to Pennsylvania to discuss his approach to crime before attending a fundraiser in Philadelphia.
“Consistent with White House protocol for positive Covid cases, which goes above and beyond CDC guidance, he will continue to work in isolation until he tests negative. Once he tests negative, he will return to in-person work,” the White House said in a statement.
“Out of an abundance of transparency, the White House will provide a daily update on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.”
What is Paxlovid, the Covid drug prescribed to Joe Biden?
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill developed by Pfizer that can be taken at home for patients with mild-moderate Covid-19 who have a high risk of developing severe disease.
Taking the treatment orally allows patients to avoid hospitals, where they can be exposed to further infection.
How is it taken?
A prescription must be started as early as possible after being diagnosed. After the onset of Covid symptoms, a course must be started within 5 days.
How does it work?
Paxlovid is a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, taken in two separate tablets taken twice a day for five days.
Nirmatrelvir inhibits an enzyme that Covid requires to make functional virus particles. Covid virus released from cells affected by nirmatrelvir is no longer able to enter uninfected cells, effectively preventing the virus from replicating.
Ritonavir, a drug used to treat HIV/AIDS, is used to boost the levels of antiviral medicines by slowing down the liver’s ability to metabolise nirmatrelvir, allowing it to stay in the body longer to fight the virus.
How effective is the drug?
Paxlovid has shown an 89 per cent reduction in the risk of hospitalisation and death in clinical trials. The result prompted the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to prioritise it over other COVID-19 treatments.
Sure, but does it work against Omicron?
While clinical trials took place before Omicron, three studies - all conducted by Pfizer, suggest it also works against the most contagious variant of Covid. Neither of the studies, however, has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
What are the side effects?
Serious side effects show signs of an allergic reaction, and people are told to see a doctor immediately if they experience hives, trouble swallowing or breathing, swelling of the mouth, lips or face, throat tightness, hoarseness, or skin rash.
Other side effects included an altered sense of taste, diarrhoea, increased blood pressure, muscle aches, abdominal pain, nausea or malaise.
Why do people taking Paxlovid need to stop other medications?
The FDA recognises Paxlovid as potentially interacting negatively with other anticoagulant medications, but not specifically Eliquis -- though manufacturers advise caution about mixing the two drugs.
Is it approved and available in Australia?
Paxlovid, became the first oral antiviral treatment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in December last year.
It has since been approved countries including Canada, Israel, and Australia. The drug was listed on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on May 1, 2022.
Who is eligible for Plaxovid in Australia under the PBS?
Access to the drug on the PBS was expanded on July 11 for all Australians aged over 70 who test positive for Covid, as well as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30 with two or more risk factors. Immunocompromised people over 18 may also be eligible.
What are the costs?
Paxlovid, as well as the version from Merck (Lageviro), normally cost more than $1000 but will only be $6.80 for a concession card holder, and around $40 for everyone else, under the PBS.
– with AFP
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