COVID-19 treatment and prevention

Oral medications are pills you take at home.

• If you tested positive for COVID-19 at a HealthPartners or Park Nicollet location and you’re at higher risk for serious COVID-19, we’ll call you to discuss your treatment options.
• If you tested positive for COVID-19 outside of HealthPartners or Park Nicollet, your symptoms started less than five days ago, and you believe you’re at higher risk for serious COVID-19, call a clinic or schedule a video visit to discuss your treatment options.
  

If you’re not prescribed oral medication for COVID-19, don’t worry – it’s not appropriate for everyone who has COVID-19.

Remdesivir is an antiviral medication given intravenously (through a vein). While we regularly provide remdesivir treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, we’re not able to offer outpatient remdesivir treatment at this time.

Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that are used as a preventive medicine, meaning that you get them before you get sick or are exposed to COVID-19. Pemivibart (Pemgarda) is a monoclonal antibody treatment that’s given intravenously. It may be an option for people over 12 years old who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. We do not offer pemivibart at this time.

• For babies under 4 months old: Call your child’s health care provider for care instructions.
• For all ages over 4 months old: Use acetaminophen to help relieve pain and reduce any fever. Follow age- and weight-appropriate dosing recommendations and the package instructions. Avoid stomach upset by taking with food or milk.
• For children over 1 year old: Honey can help soothe sore throats and coughs. (Honey is not safe for children under 1 year old.)
• For adults only: Over-the-counter throat lozenges or antiseptic sprays can help provide pain relief.

• For children under 4 years old: The FDA recommends no over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children 4 years of age or younger. Plenty of liquids and rest can help children feel better. Honey can help soothe sore throats and coughs. (Honey is not safe for children under 1 year old.)
• For adults only: Take a cough expectorant that contains guaifenesin (such as Mucinex^®) for three days. This will thin mucus in your chest to make it easier to cough up – it's important to allow your body to cough up mucus to get better.Avoid multi-symptom versions, which often have extra letters in their name (such as Mucinex DM^®).
• For adults only: A cough suppressant should only be used when you need a rest or break from your cough. Use an over-the-counter cough medication that contains dextromethorphan (such as Delsym^®) sparingly.

• For babies under 4 months old: A simple bulb syringe and saline nasal spray can be used to clear stuffy noses. Call your child’s doctor for other care instructions.
• For all ages over 4 months old: Use acetaminophen to help relieve pain and reduce any fever. Follow age- and weight-appropriate dosing recommendations and the package instructions. Avoid stomach upset by taking with food or milk.

If you need any help managing your symptoms – or they appear to be worsening – call your clinic or schedule a video visit. We’ll review your concerns and help create a custom treatment plan for you.

In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital’s emergency room. If you can, wear a mask before emergency services arrive or you go to the emergency room.