COVID-19 Misinformation Alert:
Viral social media posts are falsely claiming that ivermectin is an approved COVID-19 treatment, while vaccines and masks have failed. The most common claim is that the National Institutes of Health recently added ivermectin to the list of drugs approved to treat COVID-19.
The Truth
No health authority has approved ivermectin to treat COVID-19. The NIH has been evaluating the medication as a potential COVID-19 treatment for over a year, and the guidelines about the drug have not changed in that time. No reputable, peer-reviewed study has found ivermectin to be effective at preventing or treating COVID-19. The largest randomized, controlled trial of ivermectin to date found that the treatment had no effect on COVID-19 hospitalization in over 1,300 participants.
What options do we have?
- Vaccines. Everyone 6 mo and older can be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Get boosted. Starting next week, booster doses with a a version of the spike protein from the Omicron variant will be available at DCHC. Staying up-to-date on vaccination is one of the easiest and best things you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19.
- Wear a mask in risky situations. In crowded areas or areas with poor airflow, consider wearing the most protective mask you have available. This has been proven to reduce your risk related to COVID-19.
- If you get sick, seek treatment. Paxlovid is an antiviral therapy. It is to COVID as Tamiflu is to influenza. Paxlovid is available free of charge at DCHC after a visit with a nurse practitioner or pharmacist.
- Modify your risk factors. Obesity, diabetes, COPD, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases represent some of the modifiable risk factors for severe COVID-19. Work to get your blood sugar and blood pressure under control. Stop smoking. Safely work towards a healthy weight. All of these things can reduce your risk of severe COVID-19.
