Dr. Doyin Okupe, Covid 19 survivor, takes us through his treatment

“The medications I took for my covid19 virus infections.

Hydroxychloroquine, 400mg daily for 2days.there after 400mg daily for 3days.

Azithromycin 500mg daily for 10 days.

Zinc sulphate 100mg daily till today

Vitamin C 1200 mg daily till now.

I had malaria while on admission. Was effectively treated with an anti-malaria. I also developed cough after about a week and was effectively treated by fairly large dose of Augmentin for 7 days.

I must say that there is no universal medical consensus on a specific treatment regime for covid19. Also, most of d drugs being used in different centres worldwide are not backed by any detailed or extensive research work anywhere in the world. Most scientific works and studies currently going on have limited scientific acceptability either because the samples used are too scanty, sometimes as low as 40 to 60, or because controls do not exist. It will take another 4 to 6 months before results of credible works are available.

However, the humongous nature of the global emergency makes it impossible for countries not to explore experimental drugs that show any possibility or potential to contain the virus.

In my own case I commenced treatment with the hydroxychloroquine regime 4 days to my isolation. This was because I read extensively on various options of treatment for Covid 19 and I followed the global debate on the pros & cons of d treatment. With my medical background and consultations locally with colleagues I already made up my mind that the chloroquine regime was so far the most promising. I ordered for the drugs just in case someone close or even I should unfortunately pick up the virus.

I MUST WARN HERE THAT IF U HAVE CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS, YOU WILL NEED TO CONSULT YR PHYSICIAN BEFORE YOU TAKE HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE. I DID. So, I was advised to use 200mg twice daily instead of 400mg twice daily for 2days.

Before the arrival of the results of the swab tests, I put my wife and I on the treatment. My low-grade fever disappeared completely, and my wife’s bone pains too. Personally, I believe the chloroquine combination which is the official treatment regime in Ogun state actually works. Lagos uses anti-viral drugs and they also get good results.

However, the scientific truth we know about treatment for viral infection is that ultimately what eventually works is the innate capability of the immune system of individual patients. It is the immunity level that eventually decide the course of the infection in each individual. That is why age and coexisting comorbidity factors, like obesity, hypertension and diabetes or Renal diseases are crucial to survival and wellbeing of infected patients. This is what gives younger people better prospects with the virus.

Hence for those who are not sick, you should ingest immune boosting drugs and preparations. Like zinc SULPHATE, immunace, RELOAD and similar immunity enhancing drugs.

I also took copious amount of ginger, garlic, turmeric and lemon. In Kaduna I am told that they add dongoyaro leaves to the above mixture and drink liberally.

As a tip also, it is known that when the virus first gain access to the body it stays in the nasal cavity and the throat for 2 to 3 days. In this position the virus itself is vulnerable. It does naturally in temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. If at this stage u can consume large quantities of hot water wt lemon frequently, u can abort the attack.

The good news is that 90 to 95% of infected people will recover and some even without hospitalization.

My Advice.

Pursue personal safety at whatever cost. Stay at home. Don’t visit and don’t receive visitors, Family or friends. Check drivers, maids and aides. Since it may be difficult to gauge their compliance, either reduce to the barest minimum or do without. Those that must stay must be made to be resident and movements restricted.

Maintain physical distancing if you must go out. Comply with the hygiene protocols as recommended by NCDC.

All these inconveniences will probably be over by July or latest august 2023. So, we can all endure.

In the meantime, fortify yourself daily with immune boosters.

At the slightest sign of trouble, fever, catarrh and or cough get help instant.

I hope someone finds this piece useful.”

Caveat: Dr. Okupe advises against self-medication

(credit Agbonsuremi Augustine Okhiria)