Urgent warning for people with coronavirus symptoms NOT to take ibuprofen after ill girl deteriorates rapidly

People suffering with coronavirus are being warned not to take ibuprofen to treat symtoms.

The first warning came a couple of days ago from France's health minister, Olivier Veran, who happens to be a qualified doctor.

He wrote: "Anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, cortisone …) could aggravate the infection. If you have a fever, take paracetamol."

And it's a message now being shared by others in the medical profession and by parents Dan Collins and Maddie Milneer-Collins, whose daughter Amelia's condition deteriorated when she was given the drug at the weekend.

In a moving Facebook post, Amelia's stepdad Dan shared a photo of the poorly four-year-old and warned: "To those of you that have children please read. If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, DO NOT give them ibuprofen."

Dan says Amelia had been unwell since Tuesday with a cough, fever and cold.

With those symptoms and a rising temperature they called 111, who said they'd send out paramedics within two hours to check on her.

In the meantime, unable to get hold of any Calpol, the couple gave her ibuprofen instead. And that's when her condition worsened drastically.

"Within an hour of giving it to her, she dropped dramatically," said Dan.

"She was panting while trying to breathe, her heart rate was very rapid, she couldn’t keep her eyes open, couldn’t lift her head up, her body was shaking, she started being sick on herself and her temperature had risen to 39.4!

"We called back up and they sent out an emergency ambulance, once the paramedics got here they managed to bring her temp and stats down a bit, they’re still higher than normal but not dangerous high anymore.

"Now she’s back on Calpol, she’s back to just being her poorly self.

"The paramedics only told us while here that we're not to give her ibuprofen."

He added: "The paramedic said about self isolating and calling back if her temp rises that high again, so I asked if it’s just for the 7 days as it’s already been 5 days but they said that as she has all symptoms we're to keep her isolated until all symptoms are gone.

"So please don’t give them ibuprofen!"



warned Dan, from Bristol.

Now medics in the UK are repeating the French minister's warning.

Dr Amir Khan, star of the Channel 5 show GPs Behind Closed Doors, has written about it in Al Jazeera.

He says that despite anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen being important drugs that are used by millions of people to treat pain, different types of arthritis, headaches, sore throats and colds, they 'can have a depressive effect on parts of our immune systems' - and that is where the danger lies with coronavirus.

"When it comes to taking them to help ease the symptoms of the common cold, we do not really have to worry about this slight but important reduction in the strength of our immune systems: We are very unlikely to develop complications from the common cold, let alone die from it," he said.

"But we need our immune system in top working order in order to battle the coronavirus and win."

He explains that when the virus enters our body, it induces mild to severe respiratory problems, a high fever, cough and, potentially, multi-organ dysfunction, which can lead to death.

Our bodies release mast cells in response to the virus - which are released very quickly from our respiratory tract - and when they come into contact with the virus, they then trigger 'a much bigger immune response, which involves inflammatory chemicals being released'.

"We need these inflammatory chemicals to help tackle the virus in the medium to long term," said Dr Khan.

"It is the effectiveness of these chemicals that decides whether a person develops complications from the coronavirus or makes a full recovery.

"If we take medicines that dampen this immune response, such as ibuprofen, this can lead to us not fighting off the infection as effectively, potentially leading to a longer illness with a higher risk of complications."

He does however stress that some people rely on commonly used anti-inflammatories to help manage crippling pain and long-term health conditions and often it's the only thing they can use.

So anyone taking them on a regular basis needs to discuss any changes with their doctor first.

Amelia's mum Maddie, also mum to eight-year-old Katie, says she's 'never seen her daughter as poorly in her life' and they are now self-isolating.

she said: "I had her in bed with me last night so I could keep an eye on her, she was up all night coughing and wheezing and with a high fever still, today has been the same.

"She has every symptom and reacted badly when given ibuprofen, which would point to the virus.