From the Guidelines
Management of an upper respiratory infection due to COVID-19 primarily involves supportive care and symptom relief, with the most recent and highest quality study 1 supporting the use of recommendations and guidelines for the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 associated bacterial and fungal infections. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms, reduce disease severity, and prevent complications, with a focus on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcomes. Key components of supportive care include:
- Resting at home and staying hydrated
- Using over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg every 6 hours as needed for fever and pain, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400mg every 6 hours with food for inflammation and discomfort
- Using a saline nasal spray to help with congestion, lozenges or warm salt water gargles to soothe a sore throat, and a humidifier to ease breathing difficulties
- Considering honey in tea for cough relief
- Isolating for at least 5 days after symptom onset and until fever-free for 24 hours without medication For high-risk individuals, antiviral medications like Paxlovid or Lagevrio may be prescribed within 5 days of symptom onset to reduce disease severity, as supported by recent studies 1. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or bluish lips or face, as these can be indicative of more serious complications. The current guideline 1 provides guidance to physicians for the management and treatment of patients with COVID-19 associated bacterial and fungal infections, including COVID-19 associated bacterial infections, pulmonary aspergillosis, candidiasis, and mucormycosis. Overall, the management of upper respiratory infection due to COVID-19 requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes supportive care, symptom relief, and prevention of complications, with a focus on reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life.
From the Research
Upper Respiratory Infection due to COVID-19 Management
- The management of upper respiratory infection due to COVID-19 involves various supportive care measures, including oxygen therapy, prone ventilation, and mechanical ventilation 2.
- A structured approach to respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients includes the use of exogenous oxygen via nasal cannula or non-rebreather, as well as titrated high-flow nasal cannula and non-invasive ventilation 3.
- The main symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, fatigue, slight dyspnoea, sore throat, headache, conjunctivitis, and gastrointestinal issues, and real-time PCR is used as a diagnostic tool 4.
- There is no evidence of any effective treatment for COVID-19, but antiviral drugs, chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine, and respiratory therapy are being used to treat the disease 4.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen do not increase susceptibility to infection or worsen disease outcomes in patients with COVID-19, and can be used to control symptoms 5.
- Treatment options for COVID-19 include Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Tocilizumab, Anakinra, Baricitinib, Eculizumab, Emapalumab, and Heparin, although some of these are controversial and require further research 6.