What is the best decongestant for COVID?

For nasal congestion: Antihistamines like Claritin or Allegra. Both of these options can reduce stuffiness and congestion, making you feel more comfortable.

Should I take a decongestant if I have COVID-19?

Over-the-counter cold medications will not make COVID-19 go away faster, but they can help if you're coughing, have a sore throat, or have nasal congestion (a stuffy nose). Do not use a decongestant if you have high blood pressure.

What are some of the medications that I can take to reduce the symptoms of COVID-19?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can all be used for pain relief from COVID-19 if they are taken in the recommended doses and approved by your doctor.

Should you take cold medications if you have COVID-19 without symptoms?

If you have COVID-19 but don't have symptoms, don't take cold medications, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®). These medications may hide the symptoms of COVID-19.

What can you take to lessen the mild COVID-19 symptoms at home?

Using over-the-counter medications when necessary. If you have a high fever, you can take a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, to help bring it down. If you have body aches, a sore throat or cough, a pain reliever can help lessen the discomfort these symptoms can bring.

In Depth: Treating COVID-19 symptoms at home

What is the treatment for mild COVID-19?

Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of the infection. For milder illness, resting at home and taking medicine to reduce fever is often sufficient. Antiviral pills such as Paxlovid or molnupiravir may be prescribed by a doctor if a patient is eligible.

Can ibuprofen worsen the symptons of the coronavirus disease?

CDC is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and worsening of COVID‑19.

Can you recover at home if you have a mild case of COVID-19?

Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.

How long does it take on average for COVID-19 symptoms to appear?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Can you take Tylenol or Advil after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to take Tylenol or Advil after the COVID-19 vaccine. This is recommended by experts because it can help ease the side effects you might experience.

Is there a drug treatment for COVID-19?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved one drug treatment for COVID-19 and has authorized others for emergency use during this public health emergency. In addition, many more therapies are being tested in clinical trials to evaluate whether they are safe and effective in combating COVID-19.

What is the most important fact about over-the-counter medications used for COVID-19 symptoms?

The most important thing to know about using over-the-counter medications to treat COVID-19 is that none of these common drugstore products are actually going to treat the virus itself. But these medications can certainly make you feel a whole lot more comfortable when you’re sick.

Are there supplements or medications to take to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19?

Great question! No supplements or medications have been shown to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Excessive intake of supplements can be harmful. Many drugs are being studied in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 but the results will take months.

Follow these precautions to best prevent COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with sick individuals
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Practice “social distancing” by staying home when possible and maintaining 6 feet of distance
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol

When does COVID-19 affect breathing?

For most people, the symptoms end with a cough and a fever. More than 8 in 10 cases are mild. But for some, the infection gets more severe.

About 5 to 8 days after symptoms begin, they have shortness of breath (known as dyspnea). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) begins a few days later.

Is there a way to determine if you have sinusitis or COVID-19?

Typically the loss of sense of smell associated with a sinus infection is going to be accompanied by more significant symptoms such as facial pain/pressure. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough and shortness of breath.

How long are you contagious after being sick with COVID-19?

Most people with COVID-19 are no longer contagious 5 days after they first have symptoms and have been fever-free for at least three days.

What are some of the first symptoms of COVID-19?

Early symptoms reported by some people include fatigue, headache, sore throat or fever. Others experience a loss of smell or taste. COVID-19 can cause symptoms that are mild at first, but then become more intense over five to seven days, with worsening cough and shortness of breath.

What are some of the most common presenting symptoms of COVID-19?

Initial presentation — Among patients with symptomatic COVID-19, cough, myalgias, and headache are the most commonly reported symptoms. Other features, including diarrhea, sore throat, and smell or taste abnormalities, are also well described (table 3).

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion or rhinorrhea, vomiting or diarrhea, and skin rashes.

How long does it take to recover from COVID-19?

Fortunately, people who have mild to moderate symptoms typically recover in a few days or weeks.

How long can symptoms of COVID-19 last?

Acute COVID-19. Once symptoms appear, you have entered the acute stage. You may have fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms. Active illness can last one to two weeks if you have mild or moderate coronavirus disease, but severe cases can last months.

Can mild cases of COVID-19 cause long COVID-19?

Advancing public health But even a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause long COVID. And with the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant—which often results in milder disease outcomes—many patients may be concerned about developing long COVID.

What kind of pain reliever can you take with the COVID-19 vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control says that you can take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen (like Advil), aspirin, antihistamines or acetaminophen (like Tylenol), if you have side effects after getting vaccinated for Covid.

What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.

Is it safe to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before a COVID-19 vaccine?

Because of the lack of high-quality studies on taking NSAIDs or Tylenol before getting a vaccine, the CDC and other similar health organizations recommend not taking Advil or Tylenol beforehand.