The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 16 COVID patients today, up from14 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 6 with the active virus today, 5 yesterday
- 1 in ICU, 2 yesterday
- 0 on ventilator, 1 yesterday
- 10 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 9 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Ben Hadel, cystic fibrosis patient
- Was diagnosed at six months and parents told he’ll be lucky to live to age 18
- Disease progressed as he got older, making life more difficult
- Was “deathly ill” when he took part in clinical trial of Trikafta
- Noticed a difference almost immediately after taking the drug and began gaining weight
- Seen a dramatic change in life over the past two and a half years and can now think about planning for retirement
Amanda Killen, cystic fibrosis patient
- Life was “rocky” with a lung function down to 20 percent
- Was in the hospital every six weeks for a two week stay
- Was being considered for double lung transplant
- Began taking Trikafta and it’s changed her life. She’s now able to hold a full time job, work out in the gym every day and teach dance three to four hours a night and still have enough energy to clean the house and play with her dog
Joyce Funk, cystic fibrosis nurse, The University of Kansas Health System
- Clinic visits for cystic fibrosis patients are now a celebration
- Trikafta has drastically decreased hospitalization for cystic fibrosis patients
- The doctors and staff in the clinic always dreamed of the day when things looked so positive for these patients, “But I didn’t know that any of us could have dreamed this big. So now it’s just pretty remarkable.”
Dr. Joel Mermis, pulmonologist and critical care physician, The University of Kansas Health System
- Feels fortunate to be part of an era in cystic fibrosis treatment where advancements like this have been made
- Cautiously optimistic that kids born with cystic fibrosis today will have a normal life expectancy
- Clinical trial currently underway to see if the drug is effective in children ages two to six
- Unless there is a family history of cystic fibrosis, does not recommend genetic screening
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Explained how clinical trials work, especially for so-called “orphan drugs,” like Trikafta, which benefit a relatively small number of people such as cystic fibrosis patients
- Described cystic fibrosis and how it affects a person’s lung capacity
- These patients have been more vulnerable during COVID
- Says it’s “remarkable” that a disease that used to be a death sentence for those who have it can now be controlled to the point the patients can live full, normal lives.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Seeing a concerning trend of COVID cases ticking back up, though not to the level of the delta and omicron variants
- Latest CDC data shows if you are unvaccinated and unboosted you are 20 times more likely to die than those who are vaccinated and boosted
- COVID vaccines, just like Trikafta, were not rushed, but were scientifically tested and proven safe and effective before being given to the public
Thursday, May 5 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. When you think of beer, what comes to mind? A backyard barbeque or maybe a night out with friends? Some are using the popular adult beverage to re-hydrate after working out. Experts say before downing a cold one there are things you need to know.
ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:
Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
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Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
