February 22, 2022
COVID-19 Treatments
We are learning more about how to treat COVID-19 every day. Treatment works best when it’s given early in someone’s illness. Get tested right away if you have symptoms of COVID-19 so you can qualify for treatments such as monoclonal antibody therapy or antiviral medicines that have been shown to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider if you test positive for COVID-19 about treatments that may work best for you.
What are the treatments for COVID-19?
Medicines are available to help you fight a COVID-19 infection including monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and antiviral pills. These treatments can help keep you from getting severely ill and needing to be hospitalized, but they must be given as soon as possible after your symptoms start. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to prevent COVID-19.
Antiviral Medications
The FDA has authorized two new antiviral medications for treating people with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Both medications are administered as an oral pill, and need to be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting.
These medications are not for everyone, and you will need to visit with a healthcare provider and get a prescription to get the medication. Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider to see if this treatment may be right for you.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Monoclonal antibodies are given to people through an intravenous (IV) infusion. These infusions are usually given in an outpatient infusion center. You will be at the infusion center for about 2 hours for the treatment. It takes about an hour for you to get all of the medicine through the infusion and then a healthcare worker will need to monitor you for any side effects for another hour.
You may qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and it has been 7 days or less since your symptoms first started. Monoclonal antibody treatment is most effective when given early and the sooner it is given the better. Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider to see if this treatment may be right for you.
Talk to your doctor or use our self-assessment tool to find out if you would likely benefit from mAb
Call the state hotline at 1-800-456-7707 (Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm) with any questions.