‘It was a scary choice’: Pennsylvania man with coronavirus being treated with anti-malarial drug

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — A Pennsylvania family decided to have their father try an anti-malaria drug showing promise as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

>> Read more trending news

WPXI-TV first reported on 76-year-old Bob Schrecengost last week, when another patient at his nursing home, Caring Heights Community Care and Rehab Center in Coraopolis, tested positive for COVID-19.

This weekend, his family got the news that he, too, tested positive.

"It was extremely difficult for all of us in my house to hear the news,” said his daughter, Lisa Smarra.

>> World War II veteran recovers from coronavirus, celebrates 104th birthday

Smarra visits her dad outside his window at Caring Heights every day. He has dementia, so she is tasked with making his medical decisions.

Smarra first heard hydroxychloroquine touted as a possible COVID-19 treatment during a presidential briefing. But while the drug shows signs of promise, clinical studies are still underway. She discussed the risks with her dad’s doctor.

"He has not used this treatment in any other patients just yet,” Smarra said.

The biggest concern is a possible negative reaction with the antibiotic Z-Pak her father was already taking.

"Heart arrhythmia or any kind of heart event, heart attack, anything could happen with his heart as a result of the two drugs interacting,” Smarra said. “It was a scary choice.”

But with her father’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis and his pulse oxygen dropping, she wasn’t confident he could make it, so she asked the doctor one more question.

"Ultimately, I asked him, I said, ‘If this was your father, would you prescribe it for your father?' And he said that he would,” Smarra said.

Schrecengost’s temperature and oxygen level are improving.

>> Coronavirus: How two elderly men faced COVID-19 pandemic head-on

"It’s amazing. It really is. I’m glad I took the chance.” Smarra said. “I love my dad so much, and I know every child loves their parent. Every daughter loves their dad, but I am so happy that he’s OK.”

The family is praying their dad comes through this and hopes his attitude will make the difference.

"He said he's gonna be healthy and not to worry about him,” Smarra said.

Positive spirit can take you a long way. The family also said they want to thank the staff at the nursing home and their willingness to be proactive in treating their dad.