One person is hospitalized in Mississippi after ingesting ivermectin, a drug used for treating worms in livestock, to self-medicate for COVID-19.
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The case was revealed by the Mississippi State Department of Health after Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs issued a warning for the public not to use the livestock product as medication.
“There are potential toxicities. So it’s something, you know, as you know, I think some people are trying to use it as a preventative, which I think is really kind of crazy. So please don’t do that.”
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According to Mississippi Free Press, ivermectin is proven to help treat COVID-19 and individuals who have opposed the vaccine have been seeking the drug as a form of treatment. Additionally, Dobbs informed the public to speak with their doctors before starting any treatment.
“I mean, you wouldn’t want to treat your pneumonia with your animal’s medication. It can be dangerous to get the wrong doses of medication, especially for something that’s meant for a horse or a cow. So we understand the environment we live in. But it’s really important if people have medical needs to go through your physician or provider.”