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Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Application Cases of Hyperthermia Therapy

• IVRA International Medical Conference -

• Viruses are vulnerable to heat.

• The strongest siren or air raid alarm for the immune system is fever.

On June 25, 2022, at COEX, during the 2022 IVRA International Medical Conference (an international medical seminar presenting protocols for virus, cancer, and pain management), Dr. Seon-Man Kim, Vice-Chairman of IVRA and Director of Yonsei Family Love Clinic, presented an overall analysis of COVID-19 and cases of applying hyperthermia therapy to patients whose symptoms persisted or worsened after completing their home isolation period.

First, in analyzing the fatality rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kim stated that until the end of 2020, when the fatality rate was high and the nature of COVID-19 was not well understood, it was reasonable to impose restrictions on international travel, extreme social distancing, bans on gatherings, and to maintain strict PCR testing criteria. However, since the fatality rate decreased in 2021, international travel restrictions and bans on gatherings should have been eased and applied more selectively depending on subpopulations. In addition, PCR diagnostic criteria should have been lowered based on scientific evidence in order to reduce false positives.

Regarding vaccines, Dr. Kim pointed out that the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, which had been authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19, had its EUA revoked by the FDA on May 5, 2022, due to serious thrombotic side effects. Thus, other vaccines also require in-depth study, and the development of safe and effective vaccines in the future remains essential.

On the subject of COVID-19 treatment, he explained:

“Various drugs and antibody therapies have been introduced, some granted emergency use authorization, but many are excessively costly and their efficacy often unclear. In fact, in April, an antibody therapy that had previously been FDA-approved for COVID-19 treatment lost its authorization because it was ineffective against variants and could even promote the emergence of new variants. In truth, the safest and most effective way to overcome COVID-19 lies in our immune system. Enhancing immunity and suppressing the virus is the most crucial aspect of treatment. Viruses are vulnerable to heat, and fever is the strongest siren or alarm for the immune system.”

He also presented cases where hyperthermia therapy was applied to patients diagnosed with COVID-19 whose symptoms persisted or worsened after seven days of home isolation. All patients who received hyperthermia therapy (using the Remission 1℃ high-frequency hyperthermia device) experienced symptom improvement, and favorable results were also observed in pulmonary function tests and heart rate variability tests. Dr. Kim concluded that hyperthermia therapy could significantly aid not only in the acute treatment of COVID-19 patients but also in the prevention and treatment of Long COVID.

Dr. Kim summarized his presentation as follows:

• - Our understanding of disease and immunity can never be complete. Therefore, in situations such as a pandemic, safe and well-established treatment methods that have been in use for a long time should be prioritized.

• - Diagnostic standards and preventive measures should be adapted according to the circumstances and timing.

• - Most importantly, rather than only responding after a disease outbreak, it is necessary to anticipate and prepare in advance.

• - IVRA and all its members aim to prepare together for such challenges.