The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidance on the treatment of COVID-19, offering the latest and most reliable advice for managing the disease. These new recommendations, published by The BMJ, are part of a living guideline developed by the WHO in collaboration with the Norwegian non-profit MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation.
This comprehensive guidance incorporates the latest clinical trial evidence for both existing and new COVID-19 therapies. The WHO emphasizes that these recommendations consider factors such as safety, prognosis, resources, access, equity issues, as well as patient values and preferences.
The update introduces distinct risk categories to assist doctors in accurately assessing whether an individual is at high, moderate, or low risk of hospital admission. This classification enables tailored treatment strategies based on the patient’s risk level.
One of the notable recommendations in the update is the endorsement of the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at high and moderate risk of hospital admission. Conversely, the WHO advises against the use of antiviral drugs remdesivir and molnupiravir for patients with non-severe COVID-19 at moderate and low risk of hospital admission, with treatment suggested only for those at high risk of admission.
Furthermore, the update discourages the use of a new antiviral (VV116) for COVID-19 patients unless in clinical trials, irrespective of illness severity. The WHO strongly recommends against the use of ivermectin for patients with non-severe COVID-19.
The experts behind these recommendations underscore that the updates reflect the evolving nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, taking into account changes in virulence, transmissibility, and the impact of global vaccination efforts on immunity.
This update is expected to provide healthcare professionals with the most up-to-date and evidence-based information to enhance the treatment of COVID-19 patients, taking into consideration the dynamic nature of the pandemic.
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