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Fake News and Disinformation in the time of COVID-19

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Fake News and Disinformation in the time of COVID-19

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The information shown in this article is a discussion about a drug called

Ivermectin. that rumor to be used as an unconventional treatment for the
respiratory virus that has so far claimed over three million lives worldwide.
Some people claims that it is effective, without any confirmation with the
Department of Health, that cause its vastly demands worldwide. The lack of
clinical result didn’t stop people to use. People that promote this drug are
usually ordinary people that has no medical practice yet they called
themselves an expert on those field. This kind of information can add more
problems that had yet to be solved.

The point to it being malicious and dangerous for people to use as a certain
treatment is that the FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in
preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved
for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head
lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Even the levels of ivermectin for approved
human uses can interact with other medications, like blood-thinners. You can
also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives),
dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.

The current evidence on the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is

inconclusive. Until more data is available, WHO recommends that the drug
only be used within clinical trials. This recommendation, which applies to
patients with COVID-19 of any disease severity, is now part of WHO’s
guidelines on COVID-19 treatments. Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti-
parasitic agent, included in WHO essential medicines list for several parasitic
diseases. It is used in the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness),
strongyloidiasis and other diseases caused by soil transmitted helminthiasis. It
is also used to treat scabies.
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In the short term, the impact on this information on this article makes people
desperately attempt to use the drug for treatment, without knowing the
serious effects of this. Some may be lucky to have mildly effects on it, but
some will not and the worst-case scenarios it will give people painful deaths.
And yet in the long run people or other organization will make a profit on it
without regards the consequence it will affects the persons life and the
balance of the demand and supply; it could cause destabilizing of the
economy.

As a student of STS, I propose a solution of stopping the continuous spreading

of fake news by verifying that information with people, group/ organizations
that are professional and have a vast knowledge on those kind topics. I will
seek second opinions just to be sure about it. I will report that false
information to the authority with the evidence that will harm the lives of the
people around. By being aware of health protocol and always sanitizing myself
I am help those around me to be safe and healthy. I will not share or promote
information that had yet confirmed by people that is studies in the medical
field that is related to the issue.

References:
 Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). Why you should not use ivermectin to treat or prevent
COVID-19. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-
or-prevent-covid-19.
 Talabong, R. (2021, March 30). House to probe use of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin for
covid-19. Rappler. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-
probe-use-animal-drug-ivermectin-covid-19-treatment..
 MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Ivermectin: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more. Medical
News Today. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ivermectin-oral-tablet#side-effects.