09/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2024 13:57
Key takeaways:
Your body will be able to clear COVID-19 illness faster if you're up to date with the latest COVID vaccine.
You can also help your body get rid of COVID more quickly with some home remedies. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, rinse your nose with saline, and treat your symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.
When started in the first 5 days of illness, Paxlovid has been shown to help get rid of COVID more quickly.
Some evidence shows that supplements like zinc, melatonin, and echinacea might help you get rid of COVID more quickly. But more studies are needed.
So, you tested positive for a COVID-19 infection. And now you're stuck at home, hoping to feel better as soon as possible. After all, there's never a good time to be sick.
While there's no magic pill to make COVID go away immediately, there are treatments and home remedies that can help you feel better faster.
The timeline for COVID can vary a bit from person to person. You may begin to feel COVID symptoms about 2 to 5 days after being infected. Symptoms typically reach their peak about 3 to 5 days after that and then gradually get better. But keep in mind that not everyone experiences symptoms.
SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) is now $0 for almost everyone*
Get SHINGRIX at the pharmacy or in-network doctor's office today. 98% of privately insured people pay $0 and all Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay $0 at the pharmacy.
Prescribing Information
*Coverage and cost may vary and are subject to change without notice. Reimbursement decisions are made by individual insurance plans.
SHINGRIX is an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults 50 years and older. SHINGRIX is not used to prevent chickenpox.
• You should not receive SHINGRIX if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of SHINGRIX
• An increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness) was observed after vaccination with SHINGRIX
• Fainting can happen after getting injectable vaccines, including SHINGRIX. Precautions should be taken to avoid falling and injury due to fainting
• The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach
• SHINGRIX was not studied in pregnant or nursing women. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• Vaccination with SHINGRIX may not protect all individuals
• Ask your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of SHINGRIX. Only a healthcare provider can decide if SHINGRIX is right for you
You are encouraged to report vaccine adverse events to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Visit www.vaers.hhs.gov to file a report, or call 1-800-822-7967.
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In one study, the average time to feel better from COVID was 15 days. But some took 3 weeks to completely recover.
The best way to improve your COVID symptoms quickly is to support your body's natural healing. The more supported your body systems are, the better they can fight the virus. Here are some tips to help you boost your body's natural ability to fight infections.
People who sleep fewer than 7 hours a night are more likely to get sick with viral upper respiratory infections like COVID. Sleep plays an important role in immune function, helping your body's natural defenses work their magic to fight off viruses. So, turn off your phone and get to bed earlier than usual to help give your immune system an extra boost.
Staying hydrated can help regulate body temperature and also make sure that your blood vessels can deliver all those immune-boosting cells to the rest of your body. It can be hard to drink with a sore throat, but it's worth forcing yourself to hydrate. Dehydration can also cause a headache, making your COVID symptoms feel worse overall.
A nasal saline rinse can help clear out bothersome mucus from your nose and help you breathe more comfortably.
One study found that people with COVID who used a nasal saline rinse got rid of their runny nose, congestion, and sneezing more quickly. As an added benefit, a nasal sinus rinse may also lower the viral load (the amount of virus in your body) and speed up recovery from COVID.
A saltwater gargle is a natural remedy that can help loosen mucus and reduce pain and inflammation from a sore throat. You can easily prepare your own at home. Just mix about ½ tsp of salt into an 8-oz glass of warm water. Aim to gargle for about 15 seconds, or longer if you can.
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help make your COVID symptoms go away faster and keep you more comfortable while recovering. Here are some OTC treatments based on your symptoms:
Cough: Try a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym) or an expectorant like guaifenesin (Mucinex).
Fever and headache:Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help treat both of these symptoms.
Nasal congestion:Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help decrease congestion.
Keep in mind that experts don't recommend OTC cough and cold medicines for children under 6 years old.
Being vaccinated against COVID can lower the viral load in your body when you're fighting off a COVID infection. A lower viral load usually means you can get rid of COVID more quickly.
Also, if you're vaccinated against COVID, you're less likely to develop long COVID symptoms in the future. So make sure you're up to date with the latest COVID vaccine available. But wait to get the vaccine if you have active symptoms of a COVID infection. You can get an updated shot after your symptoms fully resolve and you no longer need to be isolated.
Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is an antiviral medication that stops the virus that causes COVID from copying itself. People who take Paxlovid in the first 5 days of their COVID illness tend to get rid of the virus faster than those who don't. So, Paxlovid does actually seem to make COVID go away faster.
Paxlovid is recommended if you:
Have mild-to-moderate illness
Have had symptoms for 5 days or less
Have a condition that puts you at high risk for complications from COVID
More studies are needed to understand how other COVID medications affect recovery time. Researchers continue to study Veklury (remdesivir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir).
If you have COVID and are considered at high risk for complications, you can contact your primary care provider to get a Paxlovid prescription. You may also get Paxlovid from a pharmacist or at a "test-to-treat" center in the U.S.
Keep in mind that not all pharmacies are able to prescribe Paxlovid, and a pharmacist may need to review your medical records first.
Scientists have studied many types of vitamins and dietary supplements as potential treatments for COVID. Some studies suggest that certain supplements might help people recover from COVID faster:
Zinc may help people who are hospitalized recover faster from COVID.
Herbal remedies, like echinacea and turmeric, have been found to speed up recovery rates in people with COVID infections.
Melatonin may help, but the findings have been mixed. Some studies show it can help people recover faster, while others found no difference in recovery rates.
It's also possible that a combination of supplements might work better. One well-designed study (a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial) found that a combination of melatonin, zinc, and a multivitamin helped people recover from COVID faster than those who took a placebo.
But despite the promising nature of these studies, the data isn't definitive enough to make clear recommendations. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, there isn't enough evidence to recommend any particular vitamin to treat COVID.
Most cases of COVID can be treated at home. But if you develop signs of a more severe illness, getting prompt treatment can lower your chances of more serious complications.
Get medical attention right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Difficulty breathing
Pressure in your chest
New confusion
Trouble staying awake
Skin or lips that look pale or blue
And contact a healthcare professional if you have any health conditions that put you at high risk for complications of COVID. Examples include diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung disease. If you have one of these underlying conditions, you may benefit from early medication treatment even if your COVID symptoms are mild.
If you have a mild COVID infection, it can be easy to mistake it for a cold. Common symptoms of mild COVID include:
Cough
Fatigue
Headache
Congestion or runny nose
You're most contagious for the first 5 to 7 days after getting infected with COVID. In other words, you could spread the virus a day or two before you experience any symptoms. You can also continue to spread the virus for up to 8 to 10 days after your symptoms start.
Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet that's low in highly processed foods is good for your overall health, whether or not you're sick. Research shows that certain nutrients can help you recover from COVID infection. These include vitamin C, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.
Some of the best foods to eat when you have COVID include:
Strawberries
Eggs
Sweet potatoes
Oatmeal
Beans
Nuts
Staying up to date with your COVID vaccines is the best way to prevent COVID infection. If you do get infected, vaccination will help you recover faster and moderate your symptoms. To further help your body fight it off faster, get rest and drink plenty of fluids. A nasal sinus rinse and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help lessen COVID symptoms faster.
For those at risk of serious illness, Paxlovid can help you feel better faster if you take it within 5 days of feeling unwell.
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