Last month, we told you about the many ways that the novel coronavirus has affected the world of medicine. Now that you’re learning about the pandemic, you might be wondering what medicine could do for you and your partner if you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Fortunately, there are multiple medications that could be a safe and effective treatment for the common cold that accompany the more severe complications from COVID-19. One such drug is Viagra. But what would Viagra do for a woman if she were infected with COVID-19?
It Could Make You Feel Better
If you’re reading this, you probably already know that Sildenafil (Viagra) could help men with erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain an erection long enough to have sex. What you might not know is that sexual activity can be an effective treatment for women with vaginal yeast infection and women with low libido. In both cases, the goal is to help the patient feel better and achieve an enhanced sexual experience.
It Could Help Reduce The Duration Of Coronavirus Symptoms
If you or your partner are experiencing coronavirus symptoms such as fever and headache, you might wonder if taking a medication could help shorten the duration of those symptoms. According to research presented at the American Association of Poison Control Centers Annual Meeting in November 2019, individuals with severe COVID-19 who were treated with the medication Sildenafil showed a significant reduction in the duration of their symptoms. In particular, the study showed that those patients who were treated with Sildenafil had a median of 4 days of symptoms versus a median of 6 days in the control group. While the precise reason for this is unknown, it could be that Sildenafil helps reduce viral replication and thus the severity of the infection.
It Could Help Prevent Re-infection
In the event that you become infected with the novel coronavirus a second time, it would be beneficial to have a medication that could reduce the severity of your symptoms and thus the duration of your recovery time. To that end, Viagra could be an effective preventative measure because it is known to reduce the severity of symptoms in individuals who are already infected with other coronavirus strains such as the flu. Taking Viagra could also reduce the duration of your flu symptoms so that you can get back to your normal routine more quickly. However, as we’ve established, men should not take Viagra if they’re trying to get pregnant as it could affect the development of their baby’s nervous system. Yet, for the purposes of preventing flu-like symptoms and reducing the duration of those symptoms, Viagra is a safe and effective option for females.
It Could Work In Combination With Other Drugs
If you’re already taking medications for other health conditions, it’s wise to see how those drugs interact with Sildenafil (Viagra) so that you can get the most out of it. As a general rule, medications that are used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure could interact with Sildenafil, making it less effective. In these instances, taking a separate medication that does not interact with Sildenafil could be the answer. To that end, if you’re taking a beta blocker for heart disease, it could be effective to also take Clopidogrel (Plavix), a medication that does not interfere with Sildenafil’s ability to improve erectile function. Similarly, if you’re already taking nitrates, it’s a good idea to also take Xanax (Alprazolam), which does not interfere with Clopidogrel’s ability to prevent blood clots.
It Could Be A Safe Treatment For HIV Infection
In addition to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, is also known to infect humans and cause severe illness. One well-known group at risk for COVID-19 infection are individuals who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Like Sildenafil (Viagra), medications that are used to treat HIV infection could also be a potential treatment for COVID-19. In this case, HIV medications such as darunavir (Juvicit) and ritonavir (Norvir) could be a useful option because they are known to inhibit the replication of the novel coronavirus.
It Might Not Be Appropriate For Everyone
As we’re learning more about the novel coronavirus and medicine’s attempts to combat it, more and more potential treatments are becoming available. Yet, not all medications will be able to help all patients. For example, if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it’s best to avoid Sildenafil (Viagra) as it could affect the development of your baby’s brain. Yet, for the purposes of reducing your flu-like symptoms and improving your overall quality of life, Sildenafil (Viagra) could be a safe and effective option for you.
It’s always a good idea to question the medical staff and experts about potential side effects, risks, and benefits of any medication before you start taking it. Fortunately, with more information about the novel coronavirus and how it affects the human body, we’re learning more about what kinds of medications might actually be able to help.