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| URL | https://www.pennmedicine.org/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/treatment | ||||||||||||
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-21 06:53:50 (3 days ago) | ||||||||||||
| First Indexed | 2025-06-09 17:43:15 (10 months ago) | ||||||||||||
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| Meta Title | COVID-19 Treatments and Preventative Medicine | Penn Medicine | ||||||||||||
| Meta Description | Penn Medicine has treatments and preventative medications available to help manage COVID-19 symptoms, recover from the illness, or reduce your risk. | ||||||||||||
| Meta Canonical | null | ||||||||||||
| Boilerpipe Text | How is COVID-19 treated?
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
is still present in our communities, so it’s important to stay informed about treatment and prevention. Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of your symptoms.
Severe illness
: If you are very sick (most often due to low oxygen levels or lung damage from pneumonia), hospitalization is required. In the hospital, you’ll receive oxygen and other treatments to help with your breathing, along with supportive care and close monitoring. Penn Medicine has several clinical trials related to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.Â
Mild to moderate illness
: Most people do not experience low oxygen levels and are able to monitor their symptoms at home. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to manage symptoms. If you are concerned about worsening symptoms, contact your health provider. They can provide closer monitoring through a telephone check-in or telemedicine visit.
Patients with the virus who are well enough to recover from home after they’ve been discharged, as well as patients who are confirmed or likely to have COVID-19 but not sick enough to need hospitalization, are supported from home using automated remote monitoring programs, such as COVID Watch.Â
COVID-19 treatments and prevention methods available
You can use available treatments to help manage COVID-19 symptoms and recover from the illness. In addition to medications to help you recover, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus so you can protect yourself and others around you.
COVID-19 vaccine
The
COVID-19 vaccine
 is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself from getting sick from the virus. It works by teaching your body’s immune system to recognize the coronavirus, so if you’re exposed, your body can fight it off more easily. There are different types of COVID-19 vaccines available, all formulated to target specific parts of the virus.
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Getting vaccinated can also help protect those around you who may be more vulnerable to the virus.
The vaccine is still the best defense against COVID-19 infection, however there are additional options available to help lower the risk of becoming infected.
Antiviral medications for outpatient cases
Several new COVID-19 medications for outpatient use are now approved through Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, although they are in limited supply.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir are both oral antiviral pills that can be taken at home to keep patients out of the hospital. They’re meant to be taken within the first few days of having COVID-19, and they reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 88 percent for Paxlovid and 30 percent for molnupiravir. Today these treatments are only for patients at the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness.
Due to the limited availability of these antivirals, health care providers will need to determine the best course of treatment for their patients based on eligibility criteria. People with weakened immune systems have a harder time fighting infections and are especially vulnerable to viruses like COVID and may be prioritized.Â
Frequently asked questions about antiviral treatment of COVID-19
COVID-19 treatment safety and risks
COVID-19 treatment safety is a key concern, especially for those at higher risk from the virus itself. While effective treatments are available, they can have side effects. Your health providers carefully weigh these risks against the potential benefits for your individual case, taking into consideration your overall health status and family history. Additional factors like age and the severity of your illness all influence treatment decisions. Open communication with your doctor is essential to determine the safest and most effective course of treatment for your specific situation.
The COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and are considered very safe. Extensive clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants ensured the vaccines met strict safety standards before authorization. Millions of people worldwide have now received COVID-19 vaccines, and real-world data continues to confirm their safety profile.
While some side effects can occur, they’re typically mild and short-lived, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or muscle aches. Serious side effects are extremely rare. For most patients, the benefits of protection against COVID-19 far outweigh the minimal risks associated with vaccination.
If you have any concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine or antiviral medications available, talking to your doctor is the best course of action. They can address your individual situation and help you make an informed decision about vaccination and medication usage to treat or prevent coronavirus. They can also help address a
COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation
 plan if you need support with post-COVID conditions. | ||||||||||||
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# COVID-19 treatments and preventative medicine
[Find a doctor](https://www.pennmedicine.org/find-doctor)
[Call 800-789-7366](tel://+1-800-789-7366)
Overview
- [Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19)
- [FAQs](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/FAQs)
- [Testing](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Testing)
- Treatments
- [Recovery and rehabilitation](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Recovery-rehabilitation)
- [Vaccines](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Vaccine)
- [Long covid](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Long-covid)
- [Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19)
- [FAQs](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/FAQs)
- [Testing](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Testing)
- Treatments
- [Recovery and rehabilitation](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Recovery-rehabilitation)
- [Vaccines](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Vaccine)
- [Long covid](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Long-covid)
## How is COVID-19 treated?
[Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19) is still present in our communities, so it’s important to stay informed about treatment and prevention. Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of your symptoms.
- **Severe illness**: If you are very sick (most often due to low oxygen levels or lung damage from pneumonia), hospitalization is required. In the hospital, you’ll receive oxygen and other treatments to help with your breathing, along with supportive care and close monitoring. Penn Medicine has several clinical trials related to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
- **Mild to moderate illness**: Most people do not experience low oxygen levels and are able to monitor their symptoms at home. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to manage symptoms. If you are concerned about worsening symptoms, contact your health provider. They can provide closer monitoring through a telephone check-in or telemedicine visit.
Patients with the virus who are well enough to recover from home after they’ve been discharged, as well as patients who are confirmed or likely to have COVID-19 but not sick enough to need hospitalization, are supported from home using automated remote monitoring programs, such as COVID Watch.
## COVID-19 treatments and prevention methods available
You can use available treatments to help manage COVID-19 symptoms and recover from the illness. In addition to medications to help you recover, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus so you can protect yourself and others around you.
## COVID-19 vaccine
The [COVID-19 vaccine](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Vaccine) is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself from getting sick from the virus. It works by teaching your body’s immune system to recognize the coronavirus, so if you’re exposed, your body can fight it off more easily. There are different types of COVID-19 vaccines available, all formulated to target specific parts of the virus.
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Getting vaccinated can also help protect those around you who may be more vulnerable to the virus.
The vaccine is still the best defense against COVID-19 infection, however there are additional options available to help lower the risk of becoming infected.
## Antiviral medications for outpatient cases
Several new COVID-19 medications for outpatient use are now approved through Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, although they are in limited supply.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir are both oral antiviral pills that can be taken at home to keep patients out of the hospital. They’re meant to be taken within the first few days of having COVID-19, and they reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 88 percent for Paxlovid and 30 percent for molnupiravir. Today these treatments are only for patients at the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness.
Due to the limited availability of these antivirals, health care providers will need to determine the best course of treatment for their patients based on eligibility criteria. People with weakened immune systems have a harder time fighting infections and are especially vulnerable to viruses like COVID and may be prioritized.
## Frequently asked questions about antiviral treatment of COVID-19
### What antiviral treatments are available?
At this time there are two oral antiviral pills, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (PaxlovidTM) (Pfizer) and molnupiravir (Merck), that have been approved for emergency use authorizations by the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/know-your-treatment-options-covid-19). These pills are for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in outpatients with risk factors for progression to severe COVID-19. These pills can be prescribed only if your symptoms of COVID-19 started within the past five days. Both antiviral pills may only be prescribed for a patient by doctors, advance practice registered nurses, and physician’s assistants. Due to the limited availability of this medication, health care providers will need to determine the best course of treatment for their patients based on eligibility criteria and medication availability. Getting vaccinated and taking measures to avoid getting COVID-19 are still your best methods of protection.
In addition to the pill, there is also an intravenous treatment called remdesivir. This medication is not FDA approved for outpatients, and it is available only for inpatients with moderate to severe COVID-19 at this time.
### How do COVID antiviral treatments work?
Antiviral medications help your body fight off viruses that cause disease, reduce the symptoms of an infection, and shorten the length of illness. It’s important to note that the pills are meant to be taken after you’ve experienced COVID-19 symptoms. They cannot be used to prevent COVID-19 or in people who test positive for COVID-19, but do not have symptoms. When the drugs enter your bloodstream, they block the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to replicate it. In most cases, the virus clears up without these drugs, but when your infection is chronic or life-threatening, your doctor may want to treat you with the COVID antiviral medications.
### Who can take the COVID antiviral pill?
Antiviral pills are not recommended for everyone who tests positive for COVID. The pills are intended for those who have symptoms from COVID-19 and who are not in the hospital, but who are more likely to become seriously ill. That includes older people and those with other health conditions like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes that make them more vulnerable. Both pills have been approved for adults and the Paxlovid pill is authorized for children ages 12 and older. These medications can be prescribed only if your symptoms of COVID-19 started within the past five days.
### Can I get one of these pills if I come to the hospital?
Neither medication can be used in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, so you are not able to get these medications in the hospital. However, there are other treatments available for people who need to be hospitalized due to more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
### How do patients get prescribed COVID antiviral treatments?
The COVID antiviral treatments are available only to patients at highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness, including people older than 65 and those with other health conditions like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, that make them more vulnerable to severe illness. Patients can be prescribed these medications only if symptoms developed in the past five days and they tested positive for COVID-19. Contact your healthcare provider and get tested as soon as possible if you develop symptoms.
These medications cannot be prescribed to prevent COVID-19. They are available only for patients who have an active infection. Vaccination and taking measures to avoid getting COVID-19 are still your best methods of protection.
### How effective are COVID oral antiviral treatments?
Both medicines can reduce hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 when given within three days of symptom onset. In an interim analysis, Paxlovid reduced the risk of Covid-19-associated hospitalization or death by 88 percent in those who received treatment within five days of symptom onset. In its Phase II/III clinical trial, 1 percent of patients who received Paxlovid were hospitalized through day 28 compared to 6.7% of placebo participants. Ten deaths were reported among patients in the placebo arm, while none occurred among patients taking Paxlovid.
Molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 30 percent in the final analysis of its Phase III trial. Nine deaths were reported in the placebo group, and one in the molnupiravir group. However, in the second half of the trial data when newer COVID-19 variants were present, there was no difference between molnupiravir and placebo. So it’s possible that molnupiravir may be less effective against newer variants.
While these are effective treatments for people with COVID-19, they’re not meant to replace the COVID-19 vaccine.
## COVID-19 treatment safety and risks
COVID-19 treatment safety is a key concern, especially for those at higher risk from the virus itself. While effective treatments are available, they can have side effects. Your health providers carefully weigh these risks against the potential benefits for your individual case, taking into consideration your overall health status and family history. Additional factors like age and the severity of your illness all influence treatment decisions. Open communication with your doctor is essential to determine the safest and most effective course of treatment for your specific situation.
The COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and are considered very safe. Extensive clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants ensured the vaccines met strict safety standards before authorization. Millions of people worldwide have now received COVID-19 vaccines, and real-world data continues to confirm their safety profile.
While some side effects can occur, they’re typically mild and short-lived, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or muscle aches. Serious side effects are extremely rare. For most patients, the benefits of protection against COVID-19 far outweigh the minimal risks associated with vaccination.
If you have any concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine or antiviral medications available, talking to your doctor is the best course of action. They can address your individual situation and help you make an informed decision about vaccination and medication usage to treat or prevent coronavirus. They can also help address a [COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Recovery-rehabilitation) plan if you need support with post-COVID conditions.
### Schedule an appointment
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| Readable Markdown | How is COVID-19 treated?
[Coronavirus (COVID-19)](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19) is still present in our communities, so it’s important to stay informed about treatment and prevention. Treatment for COVID-19 depends on the severity of your symptoms.
- **Severe illness**: If you are very sick (most often due to low oxygen levels or lung damage from pneumonia), hospitalization is required. In the hospital, you’ll receive oxygen and other treatments to help with your breathing, along with supportive care and close monitoring. Penn Medicine has several clinical trials related to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
- **Mild to moderate illness**: Most people do not experience low oxygen levels and are able to monitor their symptoms at home. Over-the-counter medicines can be used to manage symptoms. If you are concerned about worsening symptoms, contact your health provider. They can provide closer monitoring through a telephone check-in or telemedicine visit.
Patients with the virus who are well enough to recover from home after they’ve been discharged, as well as patients who are confirmed or likely to have COVID-19 but not sick enough to need hospitalization, are supported from home using automated remote monitoring programs, such as COVID Watch.
COVID-19 treatments and prevention methods available
You can use available treatments to help manage COVID-19 symptoms and recover from the illness. In addition to medications to help you recover, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting the virus so you can protect yourself and others around you.
## COVID-19 vaccine
The [COVID-19 vaccine](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Vaccine) is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself from getting sick from the virus. It works by teaching your body’s immune system to recognize the coronavirus, so if you’re exposed, your body can fight it off more easily. There are different types of COVID-19 vaccines available, all formulated to target specific parts of the virus.
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Getting vaccinated can also help protect those around you who may be more vulnerable to the virus.
The vaccine is still the best defense against COVID-19 infection, however there are additional options available to help lower the risk of becoming infected.
## Antiviral medications for outpatient cases
Several new COVID-19 medications for outpatient use are now approved through Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, although they are in limited supply.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir are both oral antiviral pills that can be taken at home to keep patients out of the hospital. They’re meant to be taken within the first few days of having COVID-19, and they reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by up to 88 percent for Paxlovid and 30 percent for molnupiravir. Today these treatments are only for patients at the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness.
Due to the limited availability of these antivirals, health care providers will need to determine the best course of treatment for their patients based on eligibility criteria. People with weakened immune systems have a harder time fighting infections and are especially vulnerable to viruses like COVID and may be prioritized.
Frequently asked questions about antiviral treatment of COVID-19
COVID-19 treatment safety and risks
COVID-19 treatment safety is a key concern, especially for those at higher risk from the virus itself. While effective treatments are available, they can have side effects. Your health providers carefully weigh these risks against the potential benefits for your individual case, taking into consideration your overall health status and family history. Additional factors like age and the severity of your illness all influence treatment decisions. Open communication with your doctor is essential to determine the safest and most effective course of treatment for your specific situation.
The COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and are considered very safe. Extensive clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants ensured the vaccines met strict safety standards before authorization. Millions of people worldwide have now received COVID-19 vaccines, and real-world data continues to confirm their safety profile.
While some side effects can occur, they’re typically mild and short-lived, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, or muscle aches. Serious side effects are extremely rare. For most patients, the benefits of protection against COVID-19 far outweigh the minimal risks associated with vaccination.
If you have any concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine or antiviral medications available, talking to your doctor is the best course of action. They can address your individual situation and help you make an informed decision about vaccination and medication usage to treat or prevent coronavirus. They can also help address a [COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation](https://www.pennmedicine.org/Conditions/Coronavirus-COVID-19/Recovery-rehabilitation) plan if you need support with post-COVID conditions. | ||||||||||||
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