The coronavirus is spreading worldwide, but there are still no drugs that can kill the virus or vaccines that can protect it.
So how far are we from these life-saving medications?
What kind of progress is being made?
The research is happening at breakneck speed, and there are currently more than 20 vaccines in development. Among those currently underway are:
The first human trial for a vaccine was announced last month by scientists at a laboratory in the American city of Seattle. They have taken the unusual step of skipping any animal research to test the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine.
Australian scientists have begun injecting ferrets with two possible vaccines. It is the first complete preclinical trial to move to the animal testing stage, and researchers say they hope to move to the human testing stage by the end of April.
Tests like these are carried out much faster than would normally be the case, and some are using new approaches to vaccines. It follows that there are no guarantees that everything will turn out well.
But even if these, or any other tests, are successful, manufacturers are not expected to be able to produce a mass-produced vaccine until the second half of 2021.
Remember, there are four coronaviruses that are already circulating in humans. They cause the common cold, and we don't have vaccines for any of them.
Could existing drugs treat coronavirus?
Doctors are testing current antiviral drugs to see if they work against the coronavirus. This speeds up research, as they are known to be safe to give to people.
Trials are being carried out in England and Scotland on a small number of patients with an antiviral called remdesivir. It was originally developed as an Ebola drug, but it also appears effective against a wide variety of viruses.
Similar trials have already been carried out in China and the USA. And results are expected in the coming weeks.
There were high hopes that a couple of HIV drugs (lopinavir and ritonavir) would be effective, but the trial data is disappointing.
They did not improve recovery, reduce deaths, or decrease coronavirus levels in patients with severe Covid-19. However, since the trial was conducted on extremely ill patients (nearly a quarter died), it may have been too late in infection for the drugs to work.
Studies are also being done on an antimalarial drug called chloroquine. Laboratory tests have shown that it can kill the virus, and there is some anecdotal evidence from doctors that seems to help. However, the World Health Organization says there is no definitive evidence of its effectiveness.
Would a vaccine protect people of all ages?
It will almost inevitably be less successful in older people. This is not due to the vaccine itself, but aging immune systems do not respond as well to immunization. We see this every year with the flu shot.
Will there be any side effects?
All medications, even common pain relievers, have side effects. But without clinical trials it is impossible to know what the side effects of an experimental vaccine may be.
This is something regulators will want to watch out for.
Who would receive a vaccine?
If a vaccine is developed, there will be a limited supply, at least in the early stages, so it will be important to prioritize.
Healthcare workers who come into contact with Covid-19 patients would be at the top of the list. The disease is more deadly in older people, so it would be a priority if the vaccine were effective in this age group. However, it may be better to vaccinate those who live with or care for the elderly.
Until a vaccine or treatment is ready, what can I do?
Vaccines prevent infections and good hygiene is the best way to do it right now.
If you are infected with the coronavirus, it will be mild for most people and can be treated at home with bed rest, acetaminophen, and plenty of fluids. Some patients may develop a more serious illness and need hospital treatment.
How is a vaccine created?
Vaccines harmlessly show viruses or bacteria (or even small parts of them) to the immune system. The body's defenses recognize them as invaders and learn to fight them.
So if the body is ever truly exposed, it already knows how to fight infection.
The main method of vaccination for decades has been to use the original virus.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is made using weakened versions of those viruses that cannot cause
So how far are we from these life-saving medications?
What kind of progress is being made?
The research is happening at breakneck speed, and there are currently more than 20 vaccines in development. Among those currently underway are:
The first human trial for a vaccine was announced last month by scientists at a laboratory in the American city of Seattle. They have taken the unusual step of skipping any animal research to test the safety or effectiveness of the vaccine.
Australian scientists have begun injecting ferrets with two possible vaccines. It is the first complete preclinical trial to move to the animal testing stage, and researchers say they hope to move to the human testing stage by the end of April.
Tests like these are carried out much faster than would normally be the case, and some are using new approaches to vaccines. It follows that there are no guarantees that everything will turn out well.
But even if these, or any other tests, are successful, manufacturers are not expected to be able to produce a mass-produced vaccine until the second half of 2021.
Remember, there are four coronaviruses that are already circulating in humans. They cause the common cold, and we don't have vaccines for any of them.
Could existing drugs treat coronavirus?
Doctors are testing current antiviral drugs to see if they work against the coronavirus. This speeds up research, as they are known to be safe to give to people.
Trials are being carried out in England and Scotland on a small number of patients with an antiviral called remdesivir. It was originally developed as an Ebola drug, but it also appears effective against a wide variety of viruses.
Similar trials have already been carried out in China and the USA. And results are expected in the coming weeks.
There were high hopes that a couple of HIV drugs (lopinavir and ritonavir) would be effective, but the trial data is disappointing.
They did not improve recovery, reduce deaths, or decrease coronavirus levels in patients with severe Covid-19. However, since the trial was conducted on extremely ill patients (nearly a quarter died), it may have been too late in infection for the drugs to work.
Studies are also being done on an antimalarial drug called chloroquine. Laboratory tests have shown that it can kill the virus, and there is some anecdotal evidence from doctors that seems to help. However, the World Health Organization says there is no definitive evidence of its effectiveness.
Would a vaccine protect people of all ages?
It will almost inevitably be less successful in older people. This is not due to the vaccine itself, but aging immune systems do not respond as well to immunization. We see this every year with the flu shot.
Will there be any side effects?
All medications, even common pain relievers, have side effects. But without clinical trials it is impossible to know what the side effects of an experimental vaccine may be.
This is something regulators will want to watch out for.
Who would receive a vaccine?
If a vaccine is developed, there will be a limited supply, at least in the early stages, so it will be important to prioritize.
Healthcare workers who come into contact with Covid-19 patients would be at the top of the list. The disease is more deadly in older people, so it would be a priority if the vaccine were effective in this age group. However, it may be better to vaccinate those who live with or care for the elderly.
Until a vaccine or treatment is ready, what can I do?
Vaccines prevent infections and good hygiene is the best way to do it right now.
If you are infected with the coronavirus, it will be mild for most people and can be treated at home with bed rest, acetaminophen, and plenty of fluids. Some patients may develop a more serious illness and need hospital treatment.
How is a vaccine created?
Vaccines harmlessly show viruses or bacteria (or even small parts of them) to the immune system. The body's defenses recognize them as invaders and learn to fight them.
So if the body is ever truly exposed, it already knows how to fight infection.
The main method of vaccination for decades has been to use the original virus.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is made using weakened versions of those viruses that cannot cause
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