Managing COVID-19
What are your options if you test positive for COVID-19?
If you are not at high risk of COVID-19 and experience mild symptoms, you can manage the symptoms with over-the counter medication.1
General health advice includes getting rest, drinking water and eating well. Doing moderate exercise at home is fine if you feel up to it.1
If you know you are at high risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 and test positive for COVID-19, speak to your GP without delay – don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.2
If you are eligible, your GP may prescribe oral antiviral treatments. Learn more about managing COVID-19 symptoms at home.
COVID-19 oral antivirals
COVID-19 oral antiviral medications are used to treat COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.3
These medications are available by prescription only for certain people at high risk of severe illness who test positive for COVID-19, and need to be started as soon as possible and within 5 days of symptoms appearing.3
Contact your doctor without delay.
If you don’t have a regular GP or can’t get an appointment with them, you can find a GP below. Telehealth (phone) services may be available.
Test at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms. If you test positive and are at high risk of severe
COVID-19, talk to your doctor for advice without delay.
#PlanForCOVID
Talk to your family and friends about planning for COVID-19
By clicking on the links below, you will be leaving planforcovid.com.au and be directed to another website, which MSD Australia has not developed. The information you are about to be referred to may not comply with Australian regulatory requirements. Information relevant to the Australian environment is available from MSD Australia.
We have linked to healthdirect – a government-funded virtual health service that provides access to health advice and information via a website, app and telephone helpline to help people manage their health and connect them to the right care at the right time.
References:
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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Testing positive for COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/testing-positive (accessed June 2024). -
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Groups at higher risk from COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/protect-yourself-and-others/high-risk-groups (accessed June 2024). -
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Oral treatments for COVID-19.
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/covid-19/oral-treatments (accessed June 2024).
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