How to Treat Covid at Home

For the vast majority of people, Covid symptoms will be mild to moderate and will clear in a few days. Most people will feel better within a week. But, it is Covid, so you’ll just have to suffer through whatever you experience and be grateful it isn’t worse, right?? Wrong. While Covid feels like a mystery, and it is highly contagious and deadly for some people, it is still a virus and can be treated as such. You should not be afraid to make yourself feel better just because we are in a pandemic.

Over the counter medications and herbal treatments WILL improve your symptoms, and as you are stuck at home isolating, you can really sink in, baby yourself and do what it takes to feel better. Usually with a cold, I am focused on powering through, so my life, children and responsibilities don’t miss a beat. Appreciate the forced relaxation and take care of #1 for a change.

Fever: Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) every six hours
Acetominophen (Tylenol) every four hours

Congestion: Cold medicines that have the ingredient pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine will decrease the discomfort of nasal congestion. I usually recommend Mucinex D, which you need to get at the pharmacy counter.

Cough: Look for medicines that contain guaifenesin or dextromethorphan. Guaifenesin thins the mucus and dextromethorphan is an antitussive, which means it stops the cough reflex. Often this is very helpful for getting a better night’s sleep. If you need something stronger, make a telemedicine appointment with your doctor, and he or she should be able to give you better relief.

Sore Throat: Ibuprofen around the clock or Naprosyn will help with the pain and inflammation. Chloraseptic spray and lozenges can also relieve the pain and keep your throat lubricated.

Headache: Again, Ibuprofen or Naprosyn can help a great deal, especially if you stay on a schedule with them.

How about home remedies?
The tried and true cure-alls your grandmother touted will work here as well.
— increase fluids (like, really increase them) to help your immune system
Try a fruit-infused water for an extra boost of vitamin C.
— warm fluids like decaffeinated tea and hot water with lemon will soothe a sore throat
Try Karen’s family’s home remedy.
— steam, whether by shower or over a pot of boiling water, will relieve congestion
— vitamin C and zinc will further support your immune system so it can do the work it needs to do to get you better
— avoid sugar and processed foods, as our immune system really, really doesn’t like them
Read: 5 Foods to Avoid When You’re Sick
— if you have GI upset, have a bland diet with simple foods that are easily digestible, so you don’t further strain your system
— rest as often as you can, and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.

To emphasize the last tip, it may be tempting to binge watch Netflix until all hours, but the best thing you can do for your health is to get sleep. It is while we are sleeping that our bodies can do the important work of getting well. The silver lining to having a mild case of Covid, in addition to not having a severe case, is that no one expects or wants you to power through. Take advantage of the downtime and listen to your body.

Karen’s Secret Home Remedy for Coughs and Colds