In treating patients infected with the novel coronavirus, the integration of Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has delivered some positive results with the joint efforts of medical personnel from the two fields.
For instance, a total of 23 patients receiving integrated treatment were cured and discharged from the Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine and the Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine on February 6.
Some TCM prescriptions have proven to have significant anti-fever and anti-inflammatory effects. At the same time, TCM can regulate people's immune system and enhance its defense.
For patients, the combination of Western medicine and TCM has been effective in shortening the treatment course and improving recovery. It helps inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, stabilize the blood oxygen saturation and reduce the need for antibiotics. In the process of recovery, people who continue taking TCM can have better restoration of damaged organs and tissues. In particular, those with low immunity after discharge should continue some follow-up treatment of integrated Western medicine and TCM.
In order to improve the medical treatment efficiency and recovery rate, it is necessary to adopt an integrated treatment.
(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on February 21)
