Salem Regional Offers COVID-19 Antibody Therapies
SALEM, Ohio — Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 can now receive antibody therapies at Salem Regional Medical Center.
The treatments help reduce the risk of developing severe disease, hospitalization and death, according to a press release. It’s a combination of monoclonal antibody infusion, and is administered through an outpatient IV infusion to patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms or hospitalization from the virus.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off the virus, according to the release. Individuals may be eligible for the treatment if they have tested positive for COVID-19 and have had symptoms for 10 days or fewer, and are at high risk for getting more serious symptoms. The treatment is not authorized for anyone who was already hospitalized with COVID-19 or require oxygen because of the virus.
Patients who are at high risk include those who are 65 and older, or 55 and older with heart disease or high blood pressure, or have COPD or another chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma.
Other qualifying conditions include:
- Weakened immune system because of disease or medication.
- Obesity (a body mass index of 35 or higher)
- Diabetes, type 1 or 2
- Chronic kidney disease
A physician referral is needed to receive antibody therapy at Salem Regional.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
