Here's How To Treat COVID Symptoms From The Comfort Of Your Home If You Get Sick
As much as we would love to say goodbye to COVID-19, it looks like it may be here to stay for at least a little while longer. While the COVID vaccines significantly reduce your chances of becoming really sick and hospitalized, it’s still possible to catch the virus, especially the highly contagious omicron variant. Whether you have been infected with the coronavirus or are living with someone who has, you may be wondering how to treat COVID symptoms at home and if it's safe for you to do that.
If you have been exposed and develop a mild case of COVID-19, the good news is you can recover at home. The emphasis is on mild, though. So, how do you know if what you have is low on the severity scale? Keri Peterson, MD, says it may feel as if you have a cold. “Symptoms include GI upset with diarrhea, headaches, a low-grade fever (less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), loss of smell or taste, muscle or body aches, runny nose, and sore throat,” she says.
Note that getting vaccinated is still the most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19. People who are fully vaccinated and boosted are less likely to become severely ill, hospitalized, or die, according to research from the CDC. A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association also shows that receiving both doses of an mRNA vaccine plus the booster shot offers greater protection against the delta and omicron variants specifically compared to just completing the primary series or not getting the vaccine at all.
What medications can help reduce the symptoms of COVID-19?
To treat mild COVID symptoms, Dr. Peterson suggests drinking lots of fluids and resting up. “You can take acetaminophen for fever and throat pain. Ibuprofen can relieve any aches and a sore throat,” she says.
There are some other over-the-counter meds that can help. “Cough can be managed with warm water and lemon or lozenges,” says Dr. Peterson. “You can also try an expectorant for a wet cough or a cough suppressant for a dry cough.” She also recommends mixing a teaspoon of honey in warm water to soothe a sore throat.
Note that these medications can treat the symptoms of COVID-19 but not the disease itself. There are now two FDA-authorized treatments that target the virus. One is monoclonal antibody treatments, which must be given via an IV soon after someone tests positive. They can block the virus from entering the cells in your body, limiting the amount of the virus in your body. It can be used in adults and children over 12 who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 or being hospitalized. Preliminary data from a cell study shows the omicron variant is resistant to many of these antibodies, but one type called sotrovimab shows promise.
The other is prescription antiviral pills, which can be taken at home within the first five days of symptom onset. They can disrupt the process through which the virus makes copies of itself and reduce the amount of the virus in your body. These include paxloid, which is for individuals over 12, and molnupiravir, which is for those over 18. More research is needed to demonstrate whether they are effective against COVID-19.
How long does it take to recover from COVID?
COVID symptoms can last anywhere from two to 14 days, according to Dr. Peterson, and if you have a mild to moderate case of COVID, you can most likely recover in about one to two weeks.
You should stay at home for at least five days after a positive test, and you can return to work or school on the sixth day without repeat testing if your symptoms are significantly improved and if you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, says Mia Taormina, DO, an infectious disease specialist at Duly Health and Care in Chicago. “Antigen testing should be used to document recovery, as PCR testing can stay positive for some time,” she notes.
If you’re worried about long COVID, where symptoms persist for more than four weeks after a diagnosis, Dr. Peterson says you will know by a few signs—brain fog, cough, fatigue, heart palpitations, joint pain, loss of smell or taste, and shortness of breath.
Dr. Peterson says managing these symptoms requires a multidisciplinary approach depending on what you are experiencing. “Your primary care physician can recommend specific tips based on your symptoms to optimize quality of life and function,” she explains. “It may be necessary to involve other treatment-specific specialists, such as therapists and rehab professionals.”
You can also ask your doctor about nutritional supplements, olfactory retraining, and physical therapy, Dr. Taormina adds.
When should you see a doctor?
You may be dealing with a more serious case of COVID if you or someone you are caring for has trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nails, Dr. Peterson says.
The elderly and individuals who are immunocompromised or who have an underlying condition may be at higher risk of severe COVID, and they should contact their health care providers immediately after testing positive, Dr. Taormina says.
How can you keep others safe while recovering from COVID at home?
While you are recovering from COVID, it’s important to take certain precautionary measures to avoid spreading the virus to others. The CDC shares the following tips.
Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on your COVID vaccines.
Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing services, or taxis.
Wear a mask or face covering in public or when you're near others.
Cover your coughs or sneezes. If you cough or sneeze into your mask, replace it with a new, clean mask and wash your hands.
Clean communal surfaces in your home like countertops, door knobs, electronic devices, and light switches.
Do not share personal items like dishes, electronic devices, and towels.
Wash hands often with soap and warm to hot water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
Isolate in one room to avoid contact with others as much as possible. If possible, open windows to keep air circulating.
If you must share space with family members, stay six feet apart and keep the area well ventilated.
While the virus typically sheds no more than 10 days in healthy people with mild to moderate disease, it has been found to shed up to 20 days in those with severe illness, says Dr. Peterson. She points out that moderately or severely immunocompromised patients may shed virus beyond 20 days. The CDC currently advises immunocompromised individuals to isolate for at least 10 days. So, if you have a weakened immune system, talk to your primary care physician about when to safely end isolation.
The bottom line: You can take care of mild COVID symptoms like a low-grade fever and cough with OTC drugs at home. But if you are immunocompromised or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk of developing severe COVID, check in with your doc even if you're feeling fine.
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