Daniel writes:

As discussed last week, according to the subgroup analysis for the Metformin trial, the only groups with a statistically significant benefit were those less than 45, the unvaccinated, and those with a BMI >= 30.

If you fall into one or two of these groups, should you get Metformin, or only if you fall into all three of these groups?

Thanks,

Daniel

Courtenay writes:

Hi Daniel and Vincent!

I was introduced to TWIV in March or April of 2020 and sincerely appreciate the work you do.

I’ve been looking for the past few weeks for any evidence that suggests that our vaccines we received back in the early fall are still protective against serious disease and death, with current variants. Paxlovid is still super strictly controlled here (you have to be old and have other conditions to get it). I know you’ve said you’re leaning toward people not needing another booster, but i just can’t find the data to base that on, so i thought I’d reach out.

Thanks for your help!

Courtenay 

In Kamloops BC, Canada

Bob Krug writes:

I listened to the recent (June 17, 2023) TWIV that featured a “Clinical update with Daniel Griffen” I certainly agree with Dr. Griffin’s statements about the influenza virus antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which has been used for about 25 years. Dr. Griffin reported results showing that Tamiflu did not significantly decrease the hospitalization of influenza virus patients, including people 65 years and older. In fact, a great deal of evidence over many years has shown that Tamiflu is not a particularly effective antiviral. It is not surprising that Tamiflu is not very effective because it is a weak inhibitor of virus replication. Tamiflu has to be taken twice daily for 5 days to sufficiently inhibit virus replication.

For this reason, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NAID) has provided a large amount of funds during the last 15-20 years for the development of more effective influenza antivirals. Most of the NAID-funded studies were not successful. However, a new very effective influenza antiviral called Xofluza was introduced in 2018. Xofluza inhibits the cap-snatching step required for the initiation of viral messenger synthesis. As a consequence, no viral RNAs and proteins are produced, and a single dose of Xofluza eliminates essentially all virus within 24 hours. Xofluza also reduces hospitalization better than Tamiflu.  Because the patient does not produce any virus within 24 hours of Xofluza treatment, the spread of the virus to household members is substantially reduced. This is certainly a great benefit. Virus spread to the general population is also reduced, and it has been estimated that administration of Xofluza to only 30% of infected individuals would avert about 6,000 influenza virus-induced deaths in the United States each year.

Why did Dr. Griffin not mention Xofluza?

Chris writes:

Hello Dr. Griffin,

Does airborne exposure to wild fire smoke particles of 2.5 microns that can potentially damage the lungs render the victim to increased susceptibility risk to Cov Sars2 infection and lead to COVID-19 disease?

Christopher J. Lipowski

First and Former McGill University Health and Safety Officer

Principal, Pinnacle Enterprises Canada