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Trump ‘Remains Healthy’ After Taking Hydroxychloroquine, His Doctor Says Trump ‘Remains Healthy’ After Taking Hydroxychloroquine, His Doctor Says
(3 days later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s cardiac health was closely monitored while he took a two-week course of hydroxychloroquine to prevent contracting Covid-19, his physician said on Wednesday, and the president completed the treatment “safely and without side effects.”WASHINGTON — President Trump’s cardiac health was closely monitored while he took a two-week course of hydroxychloroquine to prevent contracting Covid-19, his physician said on Wednesday, and the president completed the treatment “safely and without side effects.”
That assessment was contained in a summary of Mr. Trump’s health compiled by Dr. Sean Conley, the White House physician, who also reported a one-pound weight gain by the president since last year, as well as a decline in his cholesterol levels.That assessment was contained in a summary of Mr. Trump’s health compiled by Dr. Sean Conley, the White House physician, who also reported a one-pound weight gain by the president since last year, as well as a decline in his cholesterol levels.
“Based on my history, examination and consultations, the data indicates the president remains healthy,” Dr. Conley wrote.“Based on my history, examination and consultations, the data indicates the president remains healthy,” Dr. Conley wrote.
But the summary was not the customary report released in the past by Mr. Trump and other presidents immediately after an annual physical exam. Rather than one examination, the summary was based on an unknown number of medical appointments that included a highly unusual unannounced visit the president made to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in November, and another from a checkup conducted at the White House in April.But the summary was not the customary report released in the past by Mr. Trump and other presidents immediately after an annual physical exam. Rather than one examination, the summary was based on an unknown number of medical appointments that included a highly unusual unannounced visit the president made to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in November, and another from a checkup conducted at the White House in April.
In his report, Dr. Conley did not explain the Walter Reed visit or give specific dates for Mr. Trump’s two-week drug regimen of hydroxychloroquine.In his report, Dr. Conley did not explain the Walter Reed visit or give specific dates for Mr. Trump’s two-week drug regimen of hydroxychloroquine.
Mr. Trump began taking the hydroxychloroquine, along with vitamin D and zinc, in May after two administration officials tested positive for the coronavirus. Mr. Trump has repeatedly promoted the drug as a cure for Covid-19 while offering little proof of the drug’s efficacy, and dismissed the views of many doctors and scientists — including some in his own administration — who question whether it is safe to use as a treatment.Mr. Trump began taking the hydroxychloroquine, along with vitamin D and zinc, in May after two administration officials tested positive for the coronavirus. Mr. Trump has repeatedly promoted the drug as a cure for Covid-19 while offering little proof of the drug’s efficacy, and dismissed the views of many doctors and scientists — including some in his own administration — who question whether it is safe to use as a treatment.
“Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it,” an indignant Mr. Trump told reporters after unexpectedly announcing he was taking the drug.“Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it,” an indignant Mr. Trump told reporters after unexpectedly announcing he was taking the drug.
After the president’s announcement that he was taking hydroxychloroquine, Dr. Conley released a letter in which he said he had “concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.”After the president’s announcement that he was taking hydroxychloroquine, Dr. Conley released a letter in which he said he had “concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks.”
In that letter and in the report released Wednesday, Dr. Conley did not specify whether he had prescribed the hydroxychloroquine. Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, would not comment on that question or any others about the summary.In that letter and in the report released Wednesday, Dr. Conley did not specify whether he had prescribed the hydroxychloroquine. Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, would not comment on that question or any others about the summary.
“Nothing to add to this memo or the doctor’s memo on hydroxychloroquine,” he said.“Nothing to add to this memo or the doctor’s memo on hydroxychloroquine,” he said.
Historically, presidential checkups tend to buoy whatever image the commander in chief wishes to present about his health, and presidents can decide how little or how much information to release, like any other medical patient. A review of medical records dating back to President Jimmy Carter shows that there is no template for how a report is released, and the amount of information presidents have chosen to share varies.Historically, presidential checkups tend to buoy whatever image the commander in chief wishes to present about his health, and presidents can decide how little or how much information to release, like any other medical patient. A review of medical records dating back to President Jimmy Carter shows that there is no template for how a report is released, and the amount of information presidents have chosen to share varies.
This year, the decision to publish the results came after Mr. Trump weathered scrutiny over taking a drug more commonly used to treat arthritis and malaria to treat a virus that has killed more than 107,000 Americans.This year, the decision to publish the results came after Mr. Trump weathered scrutiny over taking a drug more commonly used to treat arthritis and malaria to treat a virus that has killed more than 107,000 Americans.
Dr. Conley said that Mr. Trump’s weight was 244 pounds, a one-pound increase from last year. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, the president has a body mass index of 30.5. Anyone with a B.M.I. over 30 is considered obese.Dr. Conley said that Mr. Trump’s weight was 244 pounds, a one-pound increase from last year. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, the president has a body mass index of 30.5. Anyone with a B.M.I. over 30 is considered obese.
Mr. Trump, a longtime fan of junk food, has not succeeded in losing the 10 to 15 pounds he was said to want to lose after earlier checkups by Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, the former White House physician, who at the time had enthusiastically declared his patient in “excellent health.”Mr. Trump, a longtime fan of junk food, has not succeeded in losing the 10 to 15 pounds he was said to want to lose after earlier checkups by Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, the former White House physician, who at the time had enthusiastically declared his patient in “excellent health.”
Dr. Jackson, who is now running for Congress from Texas, said then that Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka, would help the then-239-pound president lower the fat and carbohydrate content of his diet and get exercise.Dr. Jackson, who is now running for Congress from Texas, said then that Mr. Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, and his daughter, Ivanka, would help the then-239-pound president lower the fat and carbohydrate content of his diet and get exercise.
On Wednesday, Dr. Conley did not address how that program was going, or say whether he had made any recommendations about losing weight to the president.On Wednesday, Dr. Conley did not address how that program was going, or say whether he had made any recommendations about losing weight to the president.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Losing weight “would be to his advantage,” said Dr. Richard Chazal, the medical director of the Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute in Fort Myers, Fla., and a former president of the American College of Cardiology. “But the flip side is he hasn’t gained a lot in his job where he’s exposed to high-calorie meals.”Losing weight “would be to his advantage,” said Dr. Richard Chazal, the medical director of the Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute in Fort Myers, Fla., and a former president of the American College of Cardiology. “But the flip side is he hasn’t gained a lot in his job where he’s exposed to high-calorie meals.”
The president’s cholesterol was 167, with an LDL measurement of 91 and an HDL level of 70. Those represent drops from elevated numbers recorded in recent years. In 2018, his LDL level was 143, high above the recommended 100 or less.The president’s cholesterol was 167, with an LDL measurement of 91 and an HDL level of 70. Those represent drops from elevated numbers recorded in recent years. In 2018, his LDL level was 143, high above the recommended 100 or less.
The drops are likely the result of a decision made last year to increase the president’s rosuvastatin dose, used to help control his cholesterol, to 40 milligrams per day, up from 10. Dr. Chazal said the LDL level presented by the White House constituted a 36 percent drop, which he said was a “good response” to the medication.The drops are likely the result of a decision made last year to increase the president’s rosuvastatin dose, used to help control his cholesterol, to 40 milligrams per day, up from 10. Dr. Chazal said the LDL level presented by the White House constituted a 36 percent drop, which he said was a “good response” to the medication.
It is still unclear whether Mr. Trump has undergone a colonoscopy, a procedure his former physician had delayed in the past.It is still unclear whether Mr. Trump has undergone a colonoscopy, a procedure his former physician had delayed in the past.
After Mr. Trump’s examination in January 2018, Dr. Jackson said he had deferred a routine colonoscopy “until the next periodic physical exam,” but Dr. Conley made no reference to whether the president had recently undergone the procedure.After Mr. Trump’s examination in January 2018, Dr. Jackson said he had deferred a routine colonoscopy “until the next periodic physical exam,” but Dr. Conley made no reference to whether the president had recently undergone the procedure.
In 2018, after the president’s mental acuity was questioned after the book “Fire and Fury” described some of Mr. Trump’s advisers questioning his fitness for office, Dr. Jackson said Mr. Trump had requested a test to detect cognitive impairment and had received a perfect score.In 2018, after the president’s mental acuity was questioned after the book “Fire and Fury” described some of Mr. Trump’s advisers questioning his fitness for office, Dr. Jackson said Mr. Trump had requested a test to detect cognitive impairment and had received a perfect score.
The report on Wednesday did not say whether Mr. Trump had undergone such tests this year.The report on Wednesday did not say whether Mr. Trump had undergone such tests this year.