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Module 4: Treatment

The Story…

Six days after testing for COVID-19, 16-year-old Tash’s results are in, and it’s not good news. He has tested positive, and his friends Ray and June urge Tash to seek out whatever care he needs in order to get better as soon as possible. Tash once again calls his pediatrician, who discusses the current treatments being utilized to treat COVID-19. The doctor tells Tash that the only treatment is for him to control the symptoms with medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen. He will need to remain in isolation. In addition, the pediatrician states that new treatments are currently being developed and tested, but will not be available before Tash recovers. For now, all Tash can do is isolate himself and wait. What are the different treatments for COVID-19, and how are they developed?

Performance Expectations

After completing Module 3, students will be able to:
  • Understand general approaches to treating infections caused by viruses.
  • Identify different phases of clinical trials involved in drug development and approval.
  • Consider why treatment recommendations change over time.

Module 4 Challenges

  • Challenge 1: Why don’t antibiotics work against COVID-19?

    Learning Targets:

    • I can recognize the differences between bacteria and viruses. 
    • I can explain why antibiotics aren’t used to treat people with COVID-19.

  • Challenge 2: How are medications developed?

    Learning Targets:

    • I can identify different phases of clinical trials involved in drug development and approval.
    • I can confront the history of disparities and injustice in drug development. 
    • I can apply lessons learned to the emergency use of medications for COVID-19.

  • Challenge 3: How are research studies designed?

    Learning Targets:

    • I can consider different ways that scientists design research studies to see if treatments work. 
    • I can discuss why treatment recommendations change over time. 
    • I can explore confusion related to treatments for COVID-19 rooted in research study design.

  • Challenge 4: What specific treatments are being used for COVID-19?

    Learning Targets: 

    • I can consider how bias and confounding can confuse results of scientific studies. 
    • I can explore information about current and emerging treatments for COVID-19. 
    • I can describe why treatment recommendations change over time.

Professional Opportunities