If you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are wondering if the monoclonal antibody infusion treatment is an option for you, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.
Dr. Peramsetty recently started offering monoclonal antibody treatments for eligible COVID-19 positive patients at First Care, which he has recently said is a game-changer for decreasing the severity of the disease and minimizing hospitalizations.
To help you get a better understanding of monoclonal antibody treatments and how they work, as well as the requirements to receive an antibody infusion treatment, read Dr. Peramsetty’s helpful information below.
What is the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment?
Also called monoclonal antibody infusion treatment, the monoclonal antibody treatment is a new therapy that uses lab-developed monoclonal antibodies to mimic the ones your body naturally makes in response to an infection, such as COVID-19 and its new variants.
This new type of treatment is specifically for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk for developing life-threatening symptoms. Ultimately, the goal of the monoclonal antibody treatment is to help alleviate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, reduce viral loads, and decrease the chances of hospitalization.
How Does Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Work?
This treatment relies on monoclonal antibodies designed to recognize a very specific component of the COVID-19 virus. More specifically, the monoclonal antibodies in the infusion treatment recognize and target the spike protein on the coronavirus outer shell, which then disables the virus’ ability to invade and enter the human cells.
Is the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Effective?
From what clinical trials have shown, and what doctors have seen firsthand in real-world experiences with COVID-19, the monoclonal antibody infusion treatment has shown promising results in reducing both hospitalization and death rates.
However, for the COVID-19 antibody treatment to be most effective, it needs to be administered as early as possible after testing positive for the virus.
Overall, the monoclonal antibody treatments are effective at lessening COVID-19 related hospitalizations or emergency room visits, which is important for reducing medical professional workloads and not overwhelming hospitals.
Who is Eligible for the Antibody Infusion Treatment?
There is a list of individual requirements a patient must meet to receive the antibody infusion treatment.
High risk is defined as patients who meet at least one of the following criteria:
Have a body mass index (BMI) > 35
Have chronic kidney disease
Have diabetes
Have immunosuppressive disease
Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment Are ≥65 years of age
Are ≥55 years of age AND have:
Cardiovascular disease, or
Hypertension, or
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease
Are 12 - 17 years of age AND have:
BMI ≥85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts, OR
Sickle cell disease, OR
Congenital or acquired heart disease, OR
Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, OR
A medical-related technological dependence, for example tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19), OR
Asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control
Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatments at First Care in Alabama
Dr. Peramsetty has recently started administering monoclonal antibody treatments as an outpatient service at First Care in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. One of the first clinics in the area to offer this treatment to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in a high-risk category, Dr. Peramsetty says this therapy is a game-changer for reducing hospitalizations.
To learn more about COVID-19 antibody treatments, please contact us.
To book an antibody treatment, click here.
Additionally, we offer drive-up testing, rapid testing, and professional help for treating COVID-19 symptoms at our state-of-the-art clinics. However, it’s important to know our clinics are open to treating and addressing all medical issues in Tuscaloosa, not just COVID-19! If you need medical help treating an illness, accident, or another problem, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.