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HUNTSVILLE, Texas (KBTX) – Huntsville Memorial Hospital is the latest to offer COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusion therapy. As the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations continues to rise statewide, more treatment and resources become available for those who contract the virus.
Dr. Sujesh Pillai is the Chief of Staff at the Huntsville Memorial. He says they have given just over 50 infusions in the past two weeks and only one person has had to be admitted to hospital.
“When you get the infusion, it’s an hour-long IV infusion that we do in the hospital. You are not admitted. You come home right after you finish, ”Pillai said. “It is very well tolerated. It has been shown to have about a 70-80% chance of preventing you from developing severe COVID or ending up coming to the hospital and helping you make a full recovery. “
Dr Pillai says the goal of treatment is to keep COVID-19 patients out of hospital.
“The key to this antibody infusion is that you do it at the start of treatment. The earlier you do it, the more effective it is because it binds to this coronavirus and prevents it from entering your body cells, ”Dr Pillai said. “That doesn’t prevent you from necessarily getting it. Antibody infusion is another form of treatment for patients who say they have refused the vaccine. Let’s say they’re vaccinated, but have contracted COVID, but still have risk factors like they’re over 65, have diabetes or high blood pressure, or heart problems that would put them at risk for severe COVID. It is therefore another form of treatment that we highly recommend.
Troy Feild contracted COVID-19 earlier this month. Fortunately, he didn’t have to be hospitalized. His wife and parents also contracted the virus.
“My wife and I both tested positive for COVID just over two weeks ago. We were being treated for that and then we came across the monoclonal antibody infusions, and it was phenomenal, ”Feild said. “I mean, the hospital was just amazing. The staff for their tenacity and the painstaking work they did. They have looked after five of my family in this hospital alone since they started this program. “
Felid says he and his parents are recovering. However, his wife is struggling with pneumonia. Feild says he attributes his recovery to receiving the antibody treatment. He also says he thinks his wife’s condition would be worse if she had not received the infusions.
“Being able to go through this program has helped us recover much faster. My wife, she’s actually in the hospital over there with pneumonia. She had pneumonia before she received the infusion, but it helped her overcome the symptoms of COVID, ”Feild said. “She’s just dealing with the pneumonia side at the moment. I think it helped her recover a lot faster, a lot faster.
Feild described the severity of his COVID symptoms as an 8 out of 10 and said it was an experience he will never forget.
“A constant fever, a battle against the fever. I never lost the taste and smell on my side. My wife lost sensitivity to food but never lost the taste and smell, ”Feild said. “Just with a headache and very tired. Just the fever. Waking up in the middle of the night. Dry cough, dry cough I’m still trying to get over this part, but I’m testing negative now. “
Amber Alsip is an IV Nurse at the Huntsville Memorial. She says if you are eligible for treatment, the process is straightforward.
“Once the patient arrives at the infusion center, the infusion lasts 30 minutes. Then we monitor them for an hour to make sure there are no immediate allergic reactions to the drug. Then we have them follow up with their doctor in a week, ”said Alsip.
Alsip says she considers herbal teas a great resource to help fight the virus. She encourages everyone to be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and to be proactive rather than reactive.
“I see this as a great resource to enable patients to receive treatment and fight the COVID virus on an outpatient basis, instead of trying to treat some of the symptoms they exhibit as an inpatient. I think this will allow us to free up hospital beds, ”Alsip said. “It’s a vital part of medicine these days. “In medicine, being proactive is always better than being reactive. Especially with monoclonal drugs, the evidence shows that the sooner you treat it, the more likely it will prevent you from being hospitalized. So stay on top. Know your body.
Huntsville Memorial says you should contact your doctor to see if you qualify for treatment.
Antibody treatment is free for those who qualify. You may be eligible for treatment if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, are 12 years of age or older (and at least 88 pounds), and are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms at greater risk include body mass index (BMI) 35, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, immunosuppressive disease, currently receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
For a full list of qualifications, contact your physician.
Click here to find your nearest Antibody Infusion Center.
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