From the Guidelines
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should prioritize managing your symptoms, especially fever, by drinking fluids regularly to avoid dehydration and taking paracetamol if necessary, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. To manage your COVID-19 symptoms effectively, consider the following:
- Drink fluids regularly, but no more than 2 litres per day, to avoid dehydration 1.
- Take paracetamol if you have fever and other symptoms that antipyretics would help treat, and continue only while the symptoms are present 1.
- Be aware that fever is most common five days after exposure to the infection, and monitor your symptoms closely 1.
- If you have a cough, consider short-term use of codeine linctus, codeine phosphate tablets, or morphine sulfate oral solution, and try controlled breathing techniques such as positioning, pursed-lip breathing, breathing exercises, and coordinated breathing training 1.
- Know who to contact if your symptoms get worse, such as NHS 111 online, and have a plan in place for treatment escalation in case of rapid deterioration 1. It is essential to prioritize your symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, confusion, or bluish lips/face.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Positive Covid Instruction to Patient
- The patient should be informed that several treatments are available for COVID-19, including remdesivir, corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies 2, 3, 4.
- Remdesivir has been shown to be effective in shortening the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 5.
- Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, have demonstrated mortality benefits in large, randomized controlled trials 2.
- Monoclonal antibodies, such as bamlanivimab/etesevimab and casirivimab/imdevimab, have received emergency use authorizations for use in non-hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk of disease progression 2, 3.
- The patient should be informed that the choice of treatment will depend on the severity of their disease and their individual risk factors 2, 4, 6.
- Early treatment with antivirals, such as remdesivir, may prevent the onset of severe COVID-19 in fragile and immunocompromised patients 6.
- The patient should be monitored for adverse events, such as headache and fever, which are common with remdesivir treatment 6, 5.