KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of news websites and internet pages have published articles about the effectiveness of zinc supplements in the treatment of coronavirus, but health experts say that this medicine’s effectiveness against the infection is yet to be proven.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, about 180,000 people have been infected with the coronavirus and nearly 7,700 people have died from the disease in Afghanistan.
After the outbreak of the virus, scientists and health experts strived hard to control the virus and developed different vaccines but did not create any medicines.
A number of social media users recommend different foods, herbs and some medicines as effective remedies for the virus.
Sada-wa-Sima news website published an article called “Zinc, the enemy of Covid.”
It said: “Coronavirus is still attacking the people and everyone is looking to eradicate this dangerous virus. Zinc is one of the enemies of this virus.”
Meanwhile, Imena news site also published a report tittled “Which supplements are effective in reducing the Covid and what is the role of zinc in treating Covid.”
“The regulatory role of zinc in the acute form of coronavirus, which causes severe inflammation and involvement of the lungs, is such that it causes the immune system to respond appropriately to reduce inflammation caused by the virus.”
Health experts
Dr. Hashmatullah Faizi, ICU professional at the Afghan-Japan Hospital, said that zinc had an important role in boosting immunity.
“We recommend 20mg in the morning and 20mg in the evening to our patients which is very effective,” he added.
According to him, this medicine is very effective in the treatment of Covid-19.
Dr. Javed Hajir, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, told Pajhwok Afghan News that zinc sulfate was one of the minerals stored in the body in the skeletal muscles and its deficiency caused some problems in the hair and skin.
“If the zinc sulfate is used better and more regularly with a doctor’s advice, it can strengthen our immune system and increase its effectiveness against diseases,” he added.
“There is no definitive drug for Covid yet, but in a way this medicine can strengthen the immune system,” he remarked.
According to him, when a person’s immune system is strong, he can react well to diseases.
He said zinc was therefore not a specific cure for Covid, but it was a good option for boosting the immune system and fighting diseases, which should not be used without a doctor’s advice.
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