POLOKWANE – This, according to a medical practitioner, is because Covid-19 is caused by a virus and not bacteria in nature.
Dr Paul Vorster, who has a practice in Polokwane, clarifies:
“The significant is that a virus mutates. The nature of the virus keeps changing, and therefore, a new vaccine has to be developed annually to combat the latest mutation.”
He explains that a person’s body, naturally, creates antibodies to fight off a virus. But, if one has a compromised immune system, like the elderly, one is more likely to experience the virus to a much larger extent than simply a few mild symptoms.
“In the case of bacteria, antibiotics are developed which penetrate the bacteria and kills it.”
The white blood cells in a human’s body will typically surround the virus in order to kill it. You will, however, need some medication but not antibiotics, he said.
What in the case of vaccination?
“When vaccinated against a virus, you expose the body to a small amount of the virus and thereby allow the body to develop antibodies,” he said. The problem with Covid-19 is that a vaccine is only currently in the process of being developed.
A person should not medicate on antibiotics for no reason, is Vorster’s advice.
“When this happens, the bacteria become even more difficult or impossible to treat.”
“When a patient is admitted to hospital due to Covid-19, that person might receive antibiotics to treat a secondary infection. Due to mucus developing in your lungs, you might, for example, develop pneumonia that will then be treated with antibiotics.”
Covid-19 is a new virus and doctors work around the clock to gain new knowledge about it.
Vorster emphasises the only precaution a person can take in order to prevent Covid-19 is to wash your hands, keep social distancing and stay at home.
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
