COVID-19 symptoms may be lessened by using a specific drug meant for something else. 

In a report by Fox News, the drug meant to treat cholesterol has been found to cut down COVID symptoms by as much as 70%. This figure was deduced in lab studies of the drug called fenofibrate and fenofibric acid. A team of scientists and researchers from the United Kingdom and Italy found this out, then published their study results in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology

 Covid 19 vaccine
(Photo : Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)
SURABAYA, INDONESIA - AUGUST 06: An Indonesian health worker prepares Bio Pharma COVID-19 vaccine on August 06, 2021 in Surabaya, Indonesia. Indonesia's Psychiatrists Association reported that almost 2,000 people living with mental health issues were exposed to Coronavirus since the start of the pandemic last year.

According to their research, cholesterol medication can lessen the severity of a COVID-19 infection and prevent the virus from spreading. They also noted the widespread availability of fenofibrate as an oral drug, leading them to conclude that their findings have global implications. 

The researchers, however, are not pushing to release fenofibrate as a COVID-19 medication immediately. They requested more clinical trials to explore further the cholesterol drug's potential for rehabilitating patients with major COVID symptoms. Aside from that, the emergence of more transmissible variants like Delta also warrants additional studies on the drug's effects. 

Read also: 'Monoclonal Antibody Treatment' Helps Reduce Severe Risks of COVID-19, But Why is the FDA Reserving it to Specific People?

Dealing With COVID 19 Infection Severity

The aforementioned study by the team from the U.K. and Italy is not the first to identify a cholesterol drug as a potential means of easing a COVID-19 infection.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego also pointed out statin medications. According to the UC San Diego Health website, the team confirmed that patients who took statin meds had a 41 percent lower likelihood of dying in a hospital due to coronavirus infection. The results of their study were published last July 15 in the journal PLOS ONE. 

The scientists found out that statin's anti-inflammatory and binding capabilities can slow down a COVID infection. Eventually, they say, this can put a stop to the spread of the virus. However, they did say that only those patients who have good medical reasons to take statins are the only ones who can greatly benefit from their medication. This means anybody who's had a history of cardiovascular illnesses or high blood pressure. 

It means that if you're healthy enough, you cannot take statin medications in the hope that it will lessen any COVID symptoms should you get infected. 

A Vaccine Is STILL The Best Protection Against Hospitalization and Death 

Getting a vaccine against the coronavirus might not always mean that you're immune to getting infected. But it can and will keep you from being hospitalized and dying. 

Covid 19 vaccine lady
(Photo : Jono Searle/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath gets her second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on August 06, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. Queensland recorded 10 new local cases of Covid-19 linked to the Indooroopilly cluster as the state approaches the end of lockdown on Sunday, August 8th.

Plus, major employers and entire cities such as New York will be requiring vaccination proofs from people who want to go to work or go out for fun. Without a vaccine, you will risk getting severely ill and missing out on a lot of good things.  

Related: Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment: Here's How You Can Secure a Spot

This article is owned by Tech Times 

Written by RJ Pierce 

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