Thailand’s Viral Cocktail: From Flu to COVID‑19, the Unexpected Hero
Bangkok, February 2 – In a move that could change the way we think about treatment, a 71‑year‑old Chinese grand mom in Thailand flipped from a “positive” to a “negative” COVID‑19 test in just 48 hours. How? By mixing an influenza drug (oseltamivir) with two HIV meds (lopinavir and ritonavir). Doctors claim this magic mix helped her pull herself out of bed in under 12 hours. If this isn’t a story worth sharing, I don’t know what is!
The Quick Turnaround
Dr. Kriengsak Attipornwanich told the ministry’s press meeting that the switch from a positive to a negative test came within two days. By day three, our patient was no longer “exhausted” but instead able to sit up on her own.
- Phone‑in doctor: 71‑year‑old Chinese lady.
- First taste of meds: 48‑hour negative test.
- Cool sidestep: sits up after 12 hours.
The Science (and the Hope)
While researchers are still waiting for hard data, the combo team—oseltamivir, lopinavir, and ritonavir—has shown promise in battling the new coronavirus. It’s like remixing a classic crowd‑pleaser with a new beat. Will this become a go‑to approach? Time will tell, but for now, it’s a beacon of hope in Thailand’s fight.
Numbers That Matter
Outlines of the current globe‑wide panorama:
- Thailand: 19 confirmed cases (7 recovered, 11 still hospitalized).
- Japan: 20 cases, the country with the highest outside of China.
- China: >300 fatalities, still under full lockdown in Wuhan.
Only eight Thai patients have returned home thus far, but all are on a healing journey—with support from the health ministry and the wider community.
First Human‑to‑Human Spread
On Thursday, a Thai taxi driver, a first in-country transmission, tested positive – he didn’t travel to China but had contact with tourists. The driver reminds us that the virus can travel faster than the bus on Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Government Moves & Public Pulse
Thailand’s officials are juggling two heavy loads: stopping the virus and keeping the economy humming. The tourist sector, a major revenue stream, relies heavily on mainland Chinese visitors. In the spirit of international goodwill, Thai malls sprayed “Our hearts to Wuhan” in English, Chinese, and Thai to show support.
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul filmed a heart‑warming scene: a recovered patient from Wuhan smiles at him while they chat in Mandarin—a scene that screams “we’ve got this!” (watch).
In the quest to curb spread, Thai authorities plan an evacuation of Chinese residents from Hubei, to be followed by a 14‑day quarantine once they get back home.
Stay Updated, Stay Safe
Calls for vigilance remain high. While the flu + HIV combo shows promise, it remains a preliminary treatment. The Thai Ministry is still on the lookout for solid research to confirm these early successes. Until then, we’re all in for the wait (and the hope).
