What is COVID-19 Treatment, and does it work?

In terms of health and wellness, we are better equipped than ever before and now, there’s COVID-19 treatment!

What exactly is COVID-19 treatment? 

Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by your healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis, to be effective. You could contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are “mild” right now.

Some treatments might have side effects or interact with other medications you are taking. To find out if medications to treat COVID-19 are right for you, you have options:

• Talk to a healthcare provider
• Visit a test to treat location
• Contact your local community health center or health department

Your healthcare provider may also recommend the following to relieve symptoms and support your body’s natural defenses:

• Taking medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever
• Drinking water or receiving intravenous fluids to stay hydrated
• Getting plenty of rest to help the body fight the virus
  

What does a COVID-19 treatment plan include?

Your COVID-19 treatment plan will be based on a number of unique factors, including, but not limited to – your age, your risk level for developing a serious infection, and how severe your symptoms are. 

These factors will help your provider develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs. A plan might include one or more of the following: 

• COVID-19 medical prescription
• Over-the-counter remedies
• Isolation precautions
• Contact tracing
• Vaccine guidance
• Supplements
• Etc.

*Note that if you are prescribed COVID-19 medication, it can be filled by the pharmacy of your choice!

How COVID-19 treatment works

Paxlovid is an antiviral therapy made by Pfizer that consists of two separate medications packaged together, Ritonavir Boosted Nirmatrelvir.

• When you take your three-pill dose, two of those pills will be Nirmatrelvir, which inhibits a key enzyme that the COVID virus requires in order to make functional virus particles.
• The FDA authorized Paxlovid for people ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. But in order to qualify for a prescription, you must also have had a positive COVID-19 test result.

When should I start Paxlovid

Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptom onset among persons eligible to receive the treatment.

What are the indications for Paxlovid?

• Have mild to moderate illness
• Have one or more risk factors for progression to severe disease;
• Do not require hospitalization due to severe or critical COVID-19 at the time of treatment initiation; and
• Do not have evidence of severe renal or hepatic impairment.
  

Do I need a positive test to get Paxlovid?

Yes. You need a positive rapid antigen (including at-home tests) or a PCR test to be prescribed Paxlovid.

How to receive Paxlovid?

• Your healthcare provider will determine if you are eligible to take Paxlovid and call it into your pharmacy of choice. 
• Typical dosage is 300mg; 3 tablets by mouth two times per day for 5 days; total of 30 tabs.
  

What is “Paxlovid rebound” and when does it happen?

This study found that 12% of people with COVID had a “viral rebound,” meaning they tested positive again several days after testing negative. This has been documented among people who have taken Paxlovid and is referred to as Paxlovid rebound, but the study found that viral rebound occurred regardless of whether a person had taken the antiviral treatment.

Should you take Paxlovid again if you have rebound COVID?

No. There is currently no indication for a second round of Paxlovid.

COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide and globally 

While COVID numbers continue to rise across the United States, it may be a good idea to check out the CDC’s heat map and don’t forget to take some simple preventive measures.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have passed 584.6 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed deaths has now passed 6.41 million. More than 12.4 billion vaccination doses have been administered globally, according to Our World in Data.

New COVID-19 restrictions imposed across China, while Russia reported 20,303 new COVID-19 cases on 7 August. Hong Kong relaxes COVID quarantine rules for inbound travelers, and confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to fall in the United Kingdom, dropping by more than half a million in a week, to 2.6 million.

Where to get COVID-19 treatment 

As we continue to see COVID surges developing across the United States, let’s not forget to take care of ourselves and those we love. A simple way to achieve this would be to get tested! Stay mindful of following the standard recommended precautions when interacting with the public.

Tested positive for COVID-19?

We’re here to help you get the COVID treatment that is right for you.