photo: tcmworld.eu/Dr. ZHANG Wei, Shuguan Hospital Shanghai
Dr. Zhang Wei is Chief of Respiratory Department, Chief Physician, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A time ago, he kindly answered a few questions of TCM Revue, national partner of TCM WORLD in Czech Republic.
Because of partnership between Shuguang Hospital and Endowment Fund for Support of TCM and Alternatives, participant of EUROCENTRUM TCM Project, we publish interview with him.
COVID-19 is disease, outbreak danger for the whole world. Is it possible to be prepared, to make ourselves ready to make it?
We have established mechanisms to prevent and control outbreaks in China years ago and we gained experience in fighting SARS outbreak. We combine modern medicine and TCM, formulate a unified treatment this time and it is peculiar to our country. On the basis of this, the outbreak has been brought under control through the efforts of everyone during this period. As for the international community, More and more countries are starting to have outbreaks, but most are in the early stages. China's experience is worth learning for other countries, and Lessons learned from history can also be used.
Do you have any information on big outbreaks in history?
There are many outbreaks in human history, causing a large number of deaths. Recently, the outbreak of avian influenza virus a few years ago was caused by avian influenza virus, and SARS in 2004 was also caused by coronavirus. In ancient times, the records of pestilence in Chinese history can be traced back to 1000 B.C. or even longer. Ancient Chinese people have long proposed the use of herbal medicine to treat patients, the use of similar vaccinations to prevent epidemics (mainly for smallpox, etc.) and even isolation of such a modern and still very effective way of infection. There are also some medical treatises on plague, such as the theory of typhoid fever and the differentiation of febrile diseases. As for the history of Europe, the famous "Black Death" is actually the plague, which killed more than 25 million people, but eventually people defeated the epidemic.
Do you have any experiences with treating outbreaks by methods and products of TCM?
The use of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of infectious diseases has always been a feature of our country, such as the previous SARS, as well as the common influenza, including the new crown epidemic. We will classify patients according to their different symptoms and give them targeted treatment, which we call "syndrome differentiation and treatment". The main treatment is Chinese herbal medicine, sometimes massage therapy to help patients alleviate symptoms.
Are there any evidences, case reports, of curing COVID-19 by TCM?
At present, there are many reports about the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the epidemic. For example, the TCM medical team led by Professor Zhang Boli has treated nearly 400 new crown patients in Wuhan Jiangxia fangcang hospital. These patients are mainly treated by traditional Chinese medicine, including not only the uniformly formulated decoction, but also the granule specially prepared according to each person's different physical conditions. At the same time, add acupuncture, Chinese medicine practice, etc., the effect is very good. Similarly, many hospitals in other places are also treating patients according to the traditional Chinese medicine program formulated by the state. Many difficult symptoms, such as fever and constipation, are relieved soon after using traditional Chinese medicine.
What do you suggest as prevention?
First of all, it is an infectious disease, so the most important prevention is to reduce personnel aggregation, do a good job in personal protection, and wear a mask when going out. Second, pay attention to hand washing. If necessary, 75% alcohol or other disinfectants can be used for disinfection. Exercise can be carried out properly to ensure adequate rest and enhance physical fitness. Self medication is not recommended for prevention.
What about your estimate of the finish COVID-19 outbreak in China? are numbers of patients getting down?
It is a very complicated thing to evaluate the "end of the epidemic", which cannot be determined simply by the change of some figures. At present, our country has a complete epidemic prevention and control mechanism. Many people monitor and evaluate the changes of the epidemic every day, and they will make accurate judgments.
By Jan HOVORKA, TCM WORLD
Dr ZHANG Wei
Chief of Respiratory Department, Chief Physician, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Member of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Expert Group on Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection
Member of the Expert Group of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection
Member of Shanghai Scientific and Technological Research Group on New Coronavirus Infection
Chairman of the Respiratory Committee of Shanghai Society of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
Chairman of Respiratory Exercise Rehabilitation Branch of China Medical Education Association
National Outstanding Clinical Talent of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Leading Talents of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine
Experience
Participated in the formulation of the National Plan of TCM Diagnosis and Treatment of CODIV -19
Participated in the formulation of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia
He has also participated in consultations for suspected cases in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Pediatric Hospital of Fudan University, and other designated fever case clinics in Shanghai.