Home Treatments for Mild COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to that of a common cold or the flu. Most people who contract this virus experience mild symptoms that are uncomfortable to deal with but generally resolve within a week, although some individuals may experience lingering symptoms for months. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, a dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, a new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, and congestion or a runny nose. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to get tested for COVID-19 to determine whether or not you have the virus.

Treating COVID-19 At Home

If you have mild COVID-19 symptoms, the most important thing to do is stay home and isolate yourself from anyone living with you. Should you have to share a bathroom with them, the bathroom must be disinfected after each use to help prevent spreading the virus. The only reason you should leave your home is to attend necessary medical appointments.

While there isn’t an over-the-counter medication to treat mild COVID-19 symptoms at home, you can try to relieve your symptoms by:

• Getting lots of rest
• Taking cold medicine, such as a fever reducer or cough suppressant
• Staying hydrated
• Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen

If you are a high-risk individual—defined as those aged 65 and older, those with an underlying medical condition such as chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised individuals—you will want to discuss your symptoms with a doctor, as you are more likely to develop serious complications that may require hospitalization.

What to Do When COVID-19 Symptoms Improve

You may start feeling better after a few days of rest and hydration. However, that doesn’t mean you are not still contagious and can end your isolation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined what criteria must be met in order to be around others after a mild case of COVID-19:

• It’s been 10 days since your symptoms originally appeared.
• You haven’t had a fever in 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
• Any other COVID-19 symptoms have improved.

COVID-19 Testing & Treatment at PhysicianOne Urgent Care

If you are feeling under the weather and are worried that you’ve contracted COVID-19, you can turn to PhysicianOne Urgent Care for testing and treatment recommendations. We have urgent care facilities located throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, all of which operate 365 days per year for our patients’ convenience. You can even schedule a Virtual Visit with us to have your COVID-19 symptoms evaluated by one of our experienced practitioners. While we won’t be able to prescribe any medications to help with your symptoms—the only approved medications are reserved for critically ill patients who have been hospitalized—we can help you determine which at-home remedies will help you find relief from your symptoms most.

We provide curbside COVID-19 testing, and you can learn more about the process for receiving a test by viewing this page. Or simply contact us today and we’ll be glad to answer any questions you have about COVID-19 and symptom relief.