Skip to main content

Treatments for COVID-19

Positive for COVID-19? Get treatment, right away.

If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, treatments are available that can help prevent hospitalization and reduce your chance for severe disease. 

Therapeutic treatments do not replace emergency medical care. Please watch out for emergency warning signs.

Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

You skipped the table of contents section.

Eligibility

Treatment is available for people who are at increased risk of severe disease* and have developed COVID-19 symptoms in the last 5 days, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). The sooner you start treatment, the better.

Available therapeutic treatments

COVID-19 therapeutic treatments, including an FDA-approved antiviral IV therapy and oral antivirals, can help lower the amount of virus in your body, protecting you from severe symptoms.

  • Treatment pills
    • Paxlovid (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral treatment pill for individuals age 12 and older. A free telehealth service is available to help you find out if it is right for you.
    • Molnupiravir (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral treatment pill that reduces the COVID-19 virus’ ability to multiply in the body. 
  • Injections/Infusions
    • Remdesivir (must be given within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral infusion medication administered over the course of 3 days for individuals who have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe COVID-19.

How to access therapeutic treatments

Call your doctor right away to learn about your treatment options if you are positive for COVID-19.

When to seek emergency medical attention

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID- 19: 

  • Trouble breathing 
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest 
  • New confusion 
  • Inability to wake or stay awake 
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone 

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19. 

* People who are at risk for severe disease include those who are older than 65 or have an underlying condition such as heart, lung, liver, kidney disease, diabetes or whose immune system is suppressed by illness or medication. For a complete list of conditions that may put you at higher risk see: People with Certain Medical Conditions | CDC

Related

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback