How is COVID-19 treated?

Mild illness is commonly managed at home with rest, fluids and medicines suitable for relieving fever, aches or discomfort. A clinician may review you promptly if you have a condition or treatment that raises the risk of severe COVID-19, because some antiviral medicines work best when started early and require a prescription.

Severe illness can affect breathing and oxygen levels. Hospital teams may monitor oxygen, provide oxygen support and treat complications such as pneumonia. Symptoms such as cough, fatigue, muscle aches, a runny nose or loss of taste can occur, but their presence alone does not determine which treatment you need.

Follow the treatment instructions you were given and take only medicines that are appropriate for you. Drink regularly, rest, and keep track of whether breathing, alertness and fluid intake are changing. Reduce close contact with others while you are unwell and follow current local public-health advice about staying home and protecting people at higher risk.

Arrange medical advice early if symptoms are worsening or you may qualify for prescription treatment. A clinician can consider your symptoms, medical history, current medicines and the timing of illness.

Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, unusual difficulty staying awake, blue or grey lips or face, or a sudden marked deterioration. Urgent assessment is also appropriate when you cannot keep fluids down or are becoming much weaker.

Ask whether your symptoms and health history make prescription treatment appropriate, which medicines are safe with your regular treatments, and what changes should prompt urgent review. You can also ask how to monitor breathing at home and when normal activities can be resumed.