Advice from a doctor on fighting off the coronavirus at home

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Most people who get sick with the coronavirus will be sent home for quarantine, leaving hospital beds open for severe cases. But since there’s no specific medication approved to treat the virus, only the symptoms, you’re left to find new remedies.

In a time where so much information is shared on social media, WAVE 3 News spoke to a UofL Health doctor to see what actually works at home to fight off COVID-19. Dr. Christian Furman says it’s all about protecting your immune system. When the lungs are in trouble, you may need to head back to the hospital.

• Stay hydrated to avoid kidney failure, which means lots of water and try to eat at least three times a day.
• Your diet makes a difference, limit sugary or salty foods.
• Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try switching positions so there’s not a build-up of fluids in your lungs.
• Walk around as much as you can to keep your body moving. Even if it’s just a lap around your home, Dr. Furman says it will help keep your body strong.
• Take a multivitamin. Some studies show patients have seen improvement with vitamin D.

For more serious cases, doctors will send some COVID patients home with steroids or oxygen. A big thing that came out recently is a monoclonal antibody called bamlanivimab, “bam bam” for short. Dr. Furman calls this infusion a “game-changer.”

“It’s about an hour infusion and there’s really no side effects,” Dr. Furman said. “Just like any other side effects, headaches, vomiting, general things but nothing specific. It doesn’t affect your kidneys, your liver that you have to monitor. They’ll monitor you right there when they’re giving it and treat it right there while they’re giving it.”

The “bam bam” infusion is not available for all coronavirus patients. Because of limited supply, doctors may only write a prescription for high-risk outpatients.

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