Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Care & Treatment

Managing COVID-19 Symptoms

Most people who have COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and can manage them at home. Over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help.

Options for Treatment

Older adults or people with high-risk diseases, can receive treatments that may help prevent hospitalization or death. Contact your healthcare provider right away to find out if treatment will help. You must start treatment within the first few days of infection for treatment to work.

There are currently two types of treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are at high risk of severe symptoms:

  • Antiviral treatments work by helping stop the virus from multiplying in the body.
  • Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system respond better to the virus.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four treatments for COVID-19. They require a healthcare provider’s prescription and may require entering a hospital. 

For the most current information, you should visit the CDC site for treatment options because advice changes along with new information.

Important treatment warnings:

  • Do not take any treatments that the FDA has not approved for COVID-19. Doing this could be harmful or cause your death.
  • Only take medications that a healthcare professional orders.

 

Last Updated October 2022