3 ms·
Mortality rates for ebola outbreak vary by strand of virus between roughly 60% and 90%. This outbreak is so far on the lower end of the scale, so having a drug
by Xylakant 12y ago
Mortality rates for ebola outbreak vary by strand of virus between roughly 60% and 90%. This outbreak is so far on the lower end of the scale, so having a drug that reliably safes 30% and kills 70% would be a loss, whereas in other cases it might be a win. Untested drug, things can go wrong and you're giving it to people that are already in very bad shape.
- andy_ppp 12y agoYes but I doubt any drugs will kill 70% of people. In fact anything below a 60% death rate would be a net win, but certainly no-one is talking about such ridiculously high mortality rates from trial medications.
- lhc- 12y agoWithin the realm of tested drugs, then sure, you won't find any with that mortality rate. But this drug had never been given to a human. There's no safe way to predict the exact effect it will have, and there is a realistic chance it could kill the intended recipient. This wasn't even trial medication, it hadn't reached that stage yet.
- eliben 12y agoYes, but think about one specific person who found out she has it. Prognosis - 60% that you'll die if you don't try the drug. With such drugs there are just not enough statistics to come up with odds so early. So do you take it?