COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

There is a lot of information and misinformation about COVID-19 testing and treatment. At this point, all of us know someone who has contracted the virus. Sadly, many of us know someone who has died as the result of COVID. Certainly, vaccination, social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a mask will help to slow the spread of the virus.

Testing

There are three types of COVID tests on the market as of the writing of this article. They include antibody, antigen, and PCR tests. There are significant differences in these tests. The antibody test willindicate if a person has already had the COVID virus. The PCR test is very accurate and indicates whether a person currently has COVID. There are two downsides of this test: it costs more, and it usually takes a couple of days to get back the results. The antigen test also indicates if a person currently is infected with the COVID virus. The benefits of this test are the lower cost and the quick return of test results (within ten minutes). Hurricane Family Pharmacy offers all three tests without an appointment. They are all done curbside while you are in your car.

Prevention and Treatment

There are several different protocols for treatment, both inside and outside of the hospital setting. Many people do not experience any symptoms while they are infected. Others have mild to moderate symptoms, and others have severe symptoms that require hospitalization. Our goal is to prevent this virus from progressing enough to require hospitalization. For prevention, you need to boost your immune system. Important supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin D, glutathione, melatonin, quercetin, and zinc have been studied recently and have shown favorable results.

For treatment, the prescription drug Ivermectin, which has been used to treat parasites, has been studied and has shown positive results for treating the COVID virus when it is combined with an antibiotic and zinc. Ivermectin used alone has also been used widely to prevent a person from getting the COVID virus after exposure. This is a great option for anyone who is not able to get the vaccine.

Currently, there are two manufactures of the COVID vaccine. Even if a person has had COVID, the CDC recommends the vaccine due to the appearance of multiple strains of the virus. The pharmacists and nurses at Hurricane Family Pharmacy have given over 2400 vaccine doses.

Please reach out to one of our several pharmacists at Hurricane Family Pharmacy (435-635-8200) to answer any questions about COVID-19 testing, treatment, or vaccines.

About the Author

Cliff Holt, RPh, FAAHP, is the owner of Hurricane Family Pharmacy, Gunnison Family Pharmacy & Floral, Price Family Pharmacy, and Integrated Medical Companies. He is a graduate of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for thirty years. He specializes in compounding, diabetes, anti-aging, wellness, and nutrition. He can be reached at 435-635-8200.