Every medical disease and disorder is, no doubt, considering the specific impacts of COVID-19 to their population. Did you know that a drug commonly used in the Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia Syndrome (HATS), Mastocytosis, and mast cell disorder populations has shown tentative antiviral effects? And have you or anyone you know with HATS tested positive for COVID-19?

This article will be modified as time goes by, to include observations, as we become aware of them.

News:

Many patients with mast cell disorders utilize certain drugs as "levers." In other words, they have a baseline of normal drugs they utilize, but they have certain ones that they utilize on a PRN basis. Some medical professionals recommend that diphenhydramine be used that way. The idea is to only utilize it when it is actually needed, to maximize its effectiveness upon use. Ironically, one of those places where it might actually be needed, is in prevention of coronavirus, or COVID-19.

As it happens according to the University of Florida, "Three [of the] drugs — hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine and azelastine — showed direct, statistically significant antiviral effects on the SARS-CoV-2 virus." Source: http://explore.research.ufl.edu/existing-antihistamine-drugs-show-effectiveness-against-covid-19-virus-in-cell-testing.html

Patient Experiences

I am aware of at least 3 HATS patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. None of them have been hospitalized nor required oxygen. At time of press, these patients are into their 6th week of illness; while they are weeks past their COVID-negative notices, they have continued to experience the following symptoms:

• Daily headaches
• Lack of, or limited, smell
• Lack of, or limited, taste
• Tiredness/exhaustion

I also know of at least 2 HATS patients who have been exposed to others who were positive, yet did not contract it. One of them was on a daily dosage of diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl™️.

See also:

I have a cough and it is COVID

I have a cough but it's not COVID