Treatments for Covid-19
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms, stay away from others for at least 10 days.
If you feel sick, don’t wait, get tested right away and talk to a healthcare provider!
Treatments are available for people who are at high risk of getting very sick from Covid-19. Nearly two thirds of people in North Carolina are high risk, so don’t rule yourself out.
As soon as you feel sick, it’s time to get tested and treated. That’s because treatments work best if you start them soon after you notice symptoms of Covid-19. Remember, your first symptoms may be a cough, headache, or sore throat.
Symptoms may be mild. Don’t wait to see if your symptoms get worse. If you feel sick, even a little, take steps to get tested and treated now. Go to covid19.ncdhhs.gov/what-to-do-if-you-feel-sick to find a treatment location.
If you feel sick, stay isolated as much as possible.
How long do you need to stay isolated?
If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or have symptoms, stay away from others for at least 10 days. If you have a fever, wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.
You can also use this tool from the CDC to calculate the date you can leave your home: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.
If you can get a Covid-19 test, take it as soon as possible. If you can’t get a test, don’t let that stop you from taking the next step in getting treatment. Find a test by going to covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTests.
Treatment Options
You can get treatment even if your symptoms are mild, but you have to get it within 5-7 days of feeling symptoms. You can only get treatment from a medical professional.
If you or someone you know has trouble breathing, has persistent pain or pressure in the chest, is unable to wake or stay awake, or has blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, seek medical care right away.
Find a Test to Treat location to get treatment immediately after a positive test, even if you do not have insurance or a regular doctor. Go to covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTreatment. If you don’t know where to go, call 1-888-675-4567.
If you test positive and need treatment, federal Test to Treat locations must give you antiviral pills at no cost. All healthcare providers must treat you even if you don’t have insurance or a government issued ID.
Antiviral treatment options are available. Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are pills. You’ll need a prescription to get them, and you have to start taking them within five days of your first symptoms.
Other options may be available to treat symptoms shortly after they begin. If you have symptoms, don’t wait, get tested right away and talk to a healthcare provider. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, your insurance will cover all treatment costs.
There’s misleading information out there about drugs not authorized for treatment of Covid-19. They include hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and some other veterinary medications. Do not take any medications unless they are FDA approved and prescribed by your doctor.
Treatments are not a substitute for vaccination. Vaccines offer the best protection against Covid-19.
