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Quick read: Treating symptoms at home

Treating symptoms at home

People with mild illness can usually treat their symptoms and recover at home.

You can treat mild COVID-19 symptoms in a similar way to how you would treat the flu. Rest helps your body to fight viruses and over-the-counter pain relief may ease discomfort caused by fever or aches and pains.


What you need to know

If you have mild COVID-19 symptoms, you should rest and stay well-hydrated. Short-term use of pain-relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may relieve pain.


Medicines such as antibiotics, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are not effective against COVID-19 and are not approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in Australia.


If you have mild COVID-19 you might be eligible for antiviral medicines to take at home. Talk to your doctor about getting started.


You shouldn’t buy any medicines from unverified websites, since this can put you at serious risk of adverse reactions.


Depending on how severe their symptoms are, some people may need to be treated in hospital.


If you have any concerns or questions about medicines or how to treat your symptoms, contact your doctor.

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