3 Top Tips for Treating Coronavirus at Home

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway, but that doesn’t mean that new infections will be over. It may be more likely that these coronavirus infections will be less severe than in the past, and that could mean you won’t need a stay in the hospital, which is a good thing. However, you will still need to know how to treat your case of COVID-19 at home without direct supervision from your healthcare provider.

COVID-19 is a type of viral infection, and as such, there are not too many medications that will treat it effectively. But there are a few things you can do at home to help potentially shorten the length of infection and care for yourself while you are ill.

Medications for Coronavirus

Most of the medications that have been used to treat COVID-19 infections at this point are only approved for use in extremely severe cases. For milder cases that can be managed at home, healthcare providers suggest instead that you use some readily available over-the-counter medications to deal with pain and reduce fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. You might also try other medications that can help with a cold or the flu, including cough medicines, lozenges, or home remedies like honey and lemon. These can help with a cough or sore throat if you experience these symptoms.

At-Home Treatments

If you find yourself at home with a milder case of COVID-19, healthcare providers advise that you take steps similar to those you might take if you had a bad cold or a case of the flu. Try to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice, eat nutrient-rich foods, and rest. Getting good rest is perhaps the most important thing you can do at home to take care of yourself. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and try to avoid any strenuous activity while you are feeling ill to allow your body time to recover and fight off the virus. Stay isolated in the home and wear a mask when you are able so that you don’t put other members of your household at risk. Try to sanitize high-touch surfaces frequently, and avoid having any unnecessary visitors in your home.

Warning Signs

While treating your case of COVID-19 at home, stay alert for warning signs that you might need more intensive medical attention. If you have trouble breathing, bluish lips, new feelings of confusion, difficulty staying awake, and persistent chest pain or pressure, call your doctor right away to seek advice.