It’s 2021, and we’ve come a long way in understanding the various ways to combat the notorious COVID-19 virus. We’ve got vaccines, boosters, and highly researched treatment protocols. So, it’s baffling (and somewhat amusing) that some people are still choosing to take a livestock deworming drug to ward off the virus. No, I’m not making this up – meet ivermectin, a drug that has garnered more fame as a supposed “COVID-19 cure” than for its original purpose.
Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication typically used to treat animals like horses and cows, has become a dangerous trend among humans trying to self-medicate against COVID-19. Health officials in New Mexico announced two recent deaths due to ivermectin toxicity. One of the victims was even dealing with a severe COVID-19 infection that required them to be on a ventilator and dialysis. Talk about the Wild Wild West!
Unfortunately, ivermectin isn’t the miracle cure that some would like it to be. In fact, health officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American Medical Association, and others are urging people not to take it. Just a friendly reminder, folks: these organizations have medical professionals, years of research, and tons of funding – they know what they’re talking about.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calls to poison control centers are rising due to reported overdoses or adverse effects from ivermectin. You don’t need a crystal ball to foresee this train wreck coming. In New Mexico alone, 14 ivermectin-related calls were made to the Poison Control Center between August 6 and September 21.
There are two primary problems with using ivermectin to treat COVID-19. First, it’s toxic. Second, while people might be desperate to control their symptoms and risk factors, trying a veterinary prescription is not only an unhealthy and hazardous approach but also a lost opportunity to pursue proven treatments from randomized clinical trials.
What’s even more baffling is that ivermectin is not even an anti-viral medication. It’s used to treat parasitic worms, head lice, or skin conditions like rosacea in humans at lower dosages. So, why on earth are people consuming this for COVID-19?
Health officials are urging (begging, really) people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the best line of defense. Sure, vaccinated people can still spread the delta variant, but vaccines have proven to protect well against severe or life-threatening cases of COVID-19.
At this point, let’s hope more people come to their senses and get vaccinated instead of opting for dangerous and unproven treatments like ivermectin. In the meantime, I’m off to find another bizarre 2021 headline to top this one – although, that’s going to be tough.