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The world learned that Donald Trump is infected with COVID-19 on October 2. The news of the president’s illness caused great concern. The more so because it is at increased risk in connection with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk also applies to the US First Lady. How dangerous can the coronavirus be for them and what is known about their current health?
- The US president has a coronavirus. On Friday, October 2, Trump informed about the positive result of the test at himself and his wife on Twitter
- The president received remdesivir, and he is also known to take zinc, vitamin D, famotidine (a medicine that inhibits the production of acid in the stomach), melatonin and aspirin. He also took a dose of an “antibody cocktail”, a drug that is still being tested
- The media emphasizes that the US president is in a high-risk group. The consequence may be a more severe course of COVID-19
- Due to her age, Melania Trump does not belong to the group with a higher risk of developing more severe COVID-19 symptoms. However, with age, the risk of serious diseases increases. What’s more, the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 is also increasing
- For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus epidemic, visit the TvoiLokony home page
The US president, the world’s most powerful man, has a coronavirus. Donald Trump informed about the positive result of the test at himself and his wife on Friday, October 2, on Twitter. On the same day in the evening, the president went to the Military Medical Center. Walter Reed in Bethesda, Washington. The stay there was described as “preventive”. The First Lady remained in the White House.
American media estimates that Trump’s disease is currently the greatest health crisis for the US president since the shooting of Ronald Reagan in 1981.
How is the president doing? According to reports from the White House, Trump has so far only had mild COVID-19 symptoms. In a press conference in front of the hospital on Sunday, White House physician Sean Conley admitted that the president had a high fever Friday morning, and had been given oxygen twice since the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Most importantly, however, “the president’s health is improving”, reported Sean Conley.
However, the media emphasize that the US president is at risk. The consequence may be a more severe course of COVID-19. Several factors speak for this.
One of the most important is the age of the US president, 74 years old. Meanwhile, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people aged 65-74 are at a five-fold higher risk of hospitalization and 90 times higher risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to young adults aged 18-29, according to CNN.
Donald Trump’s weight may also play a role in an infection. The US president is obese, and obesity is a risk factor for the more severe form of COVID-19. According to the CDC, this factor threefold increases the risk of hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
From the beginning of his term in office, Donald Trump has undergone a comprehensive medical checkup. A statement summarizing his current state of health is issued by the White House (but it only contains information that Trump has agreed to disclose). We know from this document that it weighs just over 109 kg (244 lb) and measures 6 feet 3 inches (over 1,8 m). This means the president’s body mass index (BMI) is over 30, which is the first degree of obesity.
- BMI calculator – calculating the correct body weight, norms, risk of diseases
It is also known that efforts were made to lower Trump’s cholesterol levels, which reportedly succeeded. According to a recent study, the president’s blood pressure is slightly elevated.
Of course, not all information is disclosed. So it is not known, for example, if Donald Trump has other medical conditions that could place him at high risk (e.g. diabetes).
How is Donald Trump treated with COVID-19?
The president received remdesivir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19. It is also known to take zinc, vitamin D, famotidine (a drug that inhibits the secretion of acid in the stomach), melatonin and aspirin.
However, a wave of comments was sparked by the information that the US president took a dose of Regeneron’s “antibody cocktail”, which is still being tested. The media emphasizes that, while research is still ongoing, this therapy is considered to be one of the most promising treatment options for COVID-19.
- Donald Trump has received an experimental drug for COVID-19. What is known about him?
The use of an unexplored drug was possible thanks to the “compassionate use” mode. It enables patients to gain access to emergency medications, although these preparations do not have a marketing authorization. Therefore, patients have access to experimental treatment outside of a clinical trial.
As explained by CEO Regeneron, each case reported under the “compassionate use” is decided individually, and Donald Trump is not the first patient to be authorized to use this route.
COVID-19 in Melania Trump. What is the risk of complications?
Melania Trump is younger than her husband by 24 years. Thus, the 50-year-old US First Lady does not fall into the age category with a higher risk of developing more severe COVID-19 symptoms. However, with age, the risk of serious diseases increases. What’s more, the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 is also increasing. According to the CDC, in the 50-64 age group – three times.
It is known that in May 2018 Melania Trump “underwent an embolization procedure for the treatment of mild kidney disease” (more about surgery). The procedure was successful and there were no complications.
According to CNN, people with kidney disease are at higher risk of severe COVID-19, according to the National Kidney Foundation and CDC. However, it is not clear if the First Lady still has a kidney problem, and if so, if and how serious it is. Melania Trump herself claims to maintain a healthy diet and to be in good shape.
Unlike Donald Trump, who was brought to a Military Hospital near Washington, the US First Lady remained in the White House. As reported on social media, she has mild symptoms but is overall fine. “I can’t wait to recover quickly,” she wrote on Twitter.
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