Trump is being treated for COVID-19 with dexamethasone. It is prescribed for seriously ill patients.

US President Donald Trump is being treated for the coronavirus infection with the steroid dexamethasone, the Associated Press reported Oct. 4, citing Trump’s personal physician, Sean Conley.

Doctors began using the steroid on October 3 after Trump’s oxygen levels dropped to 93%.

CNBC, referring to American doctors, notes the effectiveness dexamethasone in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients. The drug can be harmful in less serious cases, journalists said.

Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious disease physician at Boston University School of Medicine, told CNBC that steroids suppress the immune system. The use of dexamethasone implies a greater degree of severity, Bhadelia said.

Another expert, University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Professor Vin Gupta, said doctors’ reports could indicate that Trump suffers from mild pneumonia.

Trump announced on October 2 that he and the first lady had confirmed COVID-19. Before that, the coronavirus was detected in President Hope Hicks’ advisor. The president planned to stay in the White House during treatment, but was hospitalized overnight.

CNN reported Oct. 3 that the next 48 hours could be critical for Trump, with the president’s vital signs “alarming,” the source said. Trump released a video message in which he said that immediately after the hospitalization “he did not feel very well”, but now he is “much better”.

On October 4, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows admitted that the president had a fever on October 2 and that his blood oxygen levels plummeted. However, since his hospitalization, Trump’s health has “vastly improved” and doctors are “cautiously optimistic,” Meadows added.

Conley said Oct. 4 that the president’s condition continues to improve and he could be discharged Oct. 5.

Trump drove around the perimeter of the medical center where he is being treated on Sunday. Doctors criticized this act.