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S13-2 - Greg Fox
S13-2 - Greg Fox
FROM AUSTRALIA
Greg J Fox1,2,3
Affiliation Details- department, institution / hospital, city, state (if relevant), country
1
The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
2
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW,
Australia
3
The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW, Australia
Background and Aims: COVID-19 is an acute viral respiratory illness which causes a
spectrum of manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infection to critical disease and
death. Evidence from high-quality clinical trials has shown a number of interventions to be
effective in reducing hospitalisations and mortality due to the disease. This presentation
aims to review the evidence for the clinical management of mild and severe COVID-19. The
focus will be upon the clinical approach to COVID-19 in Australia, which has reported 1,432
deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Methods: A narrative review of the management of mild and severe COVID-19 in Australia,
including a review of current guidelines and evidence-based practice.
Results: Management options for people with confirmed COVID-19 will be selected
according to disease severity, prognostic indicators and patient comorbidities. Simple
clinical algorithms can guide clinicians in their choice of therapies. Drug treatments should
be carefully selected according to published evidence. Drug therapies for which there is
evidence of benefit in some patients include glucocorticoids, Janus kinase inhibitors (e.g.
baricitinib), IL-6 pathway inhibitors (e.g. tocilizumab) and antiviral drugs (e.g. remdesivir).
High-flow nasal oxygen therapy and ventilatory support may be indicated for certain
patients. Drugs which lack evidence of effectiveness should not be used. Australian
guidelines aid with prioritising these therapies to patients who will benefit most.
Conclusions: Effective treatments are available to treat COVID-19. Clinical decisions
should be evidence-based, and guided by disease severity and treatment availability.