What Medicine To Avoid If You Have COVID-19?

What Medicines To Avoid If You Have COVID-19?

There are still a lot of unanswered questions and rumors surrounding COVID-19. One of the most common questions is “What medication should I avoid if I have COVID-19?” Previously, it was believed that ibuprofen and blood pressure medications could lead to more severe illness with COVID-19. However, there is no evidence to prove this theory true. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns. We also recommend continuing to follow your treatment plan provided by your provider. There are medications that you can take to help alleviate your symptoms.

What are the current symptoms of COVID-19?

For people who have a weakened immune system, symptoms can become severe quickly and can cause serious respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people will experience one or more of the following symptoms listed below. These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

What should I use if I have a fever?

If you have a fever, we recommend taking an acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. Tylenol can also help in alleviating body aches.

What medication should I take if I have a cough or experiencing congestion?

Over-the-counter medication, such as guaifenesin (Mucinex), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and dextromethorphan (Robitussin and Delsym), can help alleviate these symptoms.

There are also a lot of home treatment options that can help with your congestion, which include:

A humidifier
Taking a long, hot shower (but not too hot)
Using nasal saline spray
Using Vick VapoRub on your chest
Drinking a lot of fluids to help thin out your mucus
At night, propping yourself up on pillows to make breathing easier.

What are other self-care treatment options for COVID-19?

You should practice social distancing and stay inside your home. If you live with other people, try to avoid contact with them to avoid cross-contamination. If possible, use a separate bathroom and wear a mask if you must be around others in your home. Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and take any medication recommended by your physician.

Also, it’s important for you to continue monitoring your symptoms. If your symptoms get worse, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. According to the CDC, below are the signs for emergency medical care: