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COVID-19 Treatment

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COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, can result in many different types of symptoms. The virus can have a long incubation period, meaning you may experience symptoms 2-14 days following your exposure. Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to symptoms of common colds or allergies. It is possible to be infected without developing symptoms and unknowingly shed disease, possibly infecting others. Once infected, a person may begin spreading disease in their droplets up to 48 hours before exhibiting symptoms.

Depending on the severity of illness, treatment for COVID-19 can include emergency, hospital-based or outpatient treatment, as well as self-care at home. Additionally, some people may require medications such as monoclonal antibody treatment.

The University of Kansas Health System offers several resources to help you answer commonly asked questions, gain an overview of testing, be aware of health system protocols and more.

Who can have COVID-19 treatment?

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. Anyone can be infected and anyone can be treated, whether younger or older, healthy or not. You could be at higher risk of becoming ill and experiencing disease complications if you:

  • Are not vaccinated, including recommended booster(s)
  • Are older
  • Have existing health conditions, like heart, lung, liver or kidney disease
  • Have a weakened immune system or a blood disorder
  • Are obese or have diabetes
  • Are pregnant or recently pregnant

COVID-19 does not discriminate. If eligible, get your primary vaccination series and booster to reduce your risk of severe disease and death.

We offer a variety of appointment types. Learn more or call 913-588-1227 to schedule now.

How does COVID-19 treatment work?

Treatment depends on the severity of illness. If you are feeling sick, you can screen yourself for possible COVID-19 by considering whether, in the last 3 days, you have experienced:

  • Temperature above 100.0°F
  • Cough, shortness of breath or chest tightness
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Muscle aches or chills
  • Runny nose or sneezing
  • Persistent headache
  • Close contact with someone who received a positive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days

If you answer yes to any of these, you may have COVID-19. Call your primary care provider’s office or set up an urgent care video visit with the health system’s urgent care team. Sign in to your MyChart account and choose Urgent Care Video Visit to begin the process.

If you have already received a positive COVID-19 test, you should communicate with your healthcare team. If you do not have a primary care provider, we can help. You are strongly encouraged to begin and maintain care with a primary care physician if you have any of the following conditions and are being tested for COVID-19:

Woman on computer

I have COVID-19. Now what?

Here are some of the answers you’re looking for and guidance on what to do next.

Next steps

What are the types of COVID-19 treatment?

Most people who have COVID-19 will be able to recover safely at home without seeking medical care. Rest, fluids and pain and fever reducers will ease symptoms.

For those who need to seek medical care, this care can span:

  • Emergency treatment
  • Hospital-based treatments
  • Outpatient treatments

COVID-19 symptoms should be monitored carefully. Some symptoms, whether caused by COVID-19 or another medical condition, require immediate attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • Extreme difficulty breathing, including the inability to speak a full sentence
  • Temperature of 103.0 F or higher
  • Severe or constant chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion or inability to be roused
  • Blue lips or face
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizure
  • Coughing up blood
  • Too weak to stand

Tell the 911 operator or first responders you are being evaluated for COVID-19. If you require healthcare of any kind while awaiting your COVID-19 test results, wear a mask during all interactions and alert your providers to your status immediately.

Depending on the emergency team's evaluation, you may start either inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Adult patients who must be hospitalized for COVID-19 may receive:

  • Remdesivir, an antiviral drug
  • Dexamethasone, tocilizumab or baricitinib, immune suppressive medications
  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners)

Supplemental oxygen may also be given, and the use of a mechanical ventilator may be necessary to help patients breathe.

Your primary care provider is an excellent point of contact and can offer supportive care in managing COVID-19. We encourage you to contact your primary care provider if you have one or more of the following conditions and are being tested for COVID-19:

  • Chronic lung disease
  • Moderate to severe asthma
  • Older than 60 years of age
  • Pregnancy
  • Serious heart conditions
  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 35 or higher)
  • Smoker
  • Weakened immune system, including undergoing cancer treatment, prolonged use of steroids, transplant recipient or diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
  • Underlying conditions (diabetes, renal failure, hypertension or liver disease)

Antiviral treatments

Paxlovid and molnupiravir are oral antiviral treatments developed to lower risk of hospitalization among high-risk patients. When prescribed by your healthcare provider, Paxlovid or molnupiravir can be taken at home to help prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Who can have Paxlovid?

Patients eligible for Paxlovid must meet the following 2 sets of criteria. If you believe you’re eligible, contact your healthcare provider for a prescription.

Patients must meet all of the following criteria

High-risk patients are good candidates for the antiviral pill. To be eligible, patients must meet all of the following criteria:

  • 12 years of age or older
  • Body weight more than 40 kilograms (88 pounds)
  • Confirmed COVID-19 with mild-to-moderate symptoms
  • Within 5 days of symptom onset
  • eGFR 30 or above
  • Not hospitalized for COVID-19 

Who can have molnupiravir?

Patients eligible for molnupiravir must meet the following 2 sets of criteria. If you believe you’re eligible, contact your healthcare provider for a prescription.

Patients must meet all of the following criteria

High-risk patients are good candidates for the antiviral pill. To be eligible, patients must meet all of the following criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Body weight more than 40 kilograms (88 pounds)
  • Confirmed COVID-19 with mild-to-moderate symptoms
  • Within 5 days of symptom onset
  • Not hospitalized for COVID-19
  • Not pregnant
  • Able to avoid breastfeeding during therapy and 4 days after the last dose 

Self-care at home

If you’re experiencing mild symptoms, you can take a number of actions at home to be more comfortable and keep friends and family safe.

Get plenty of rest. Try to drink 114+ ounces daily (avoid caffeine or alcohol) unless your fluid intake is restricted due to a medical condition. If this is the case, speak to a member of your care team about a fluid goal. If you’re experiencing symptoms, consider an over-the-counter medication recommended by your healthcare provider or specialist. Be sure to monitor your symptoms and reach out to a member of your care team if your symptoms worsen. Call 911 if you need emergency services and alert them you have tested positive for COVID-19.

Know when to call your doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing that is new or worsens by interfering with your ability to speak in complete sentences while at rest, or if it is accompanied by wheezing.
  • Oxygen saturation of 90% or less on room air, regardless of severity of shortness of breath. Oximeters (small devices to measure your oxygen levels) are sold at most local pharmacies.
  • Fever is persistently greater than 101 and does not go down with acetaminophen.
  • Dizziness or mental status changes, such as confusion, change in behavior and/or difficulty arousing.
  • New or worsening symptoms not controlled by over-the-counter medications and home remedies.

If at any time you feel you need urgent or immediate evaluation, call 911 and inform them you have COVID-19.

When it’s time for emergency care

In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. For COVID-19-positive patients, the following symptoms require immediate medical attention:

  • Extreme difficulty breathing, including the inability to speak a full sentence
  • Temperature greater than 103.0 F
  • Severe or constant chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion or inability to be aroused
  • Blue lips or face
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizure
  • Coughing up blood
  • Too weak to stand

Be sure to tell the 911 operator and first responders you have tested positive for COVID-19.

What is post-COVID-19 symptom management?

For many people, a full recovery from COVID-19 can take weeks or months. Some of the disease’s symptoms can affect your body for a very long time. If you experience symptoms for 3-12 weeks after the initial infection, doctors call this condition post-acute COVID-19. If you have symptoms for more than 12 weeks after the initial infection, doctors call this condition chronic COVID-19.

You may commonly hear people with post-acute or chronic COVID-19 called long-haulers, and you may hear these persistent symptoms called long-haul symptoms. These symptoms can include:

  • Chest tightness
  • Cognitive issues or brain fog (confusion, short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating)
  • Continued loss of smell or taste
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Malaise (a vague feeling of unwellness)
  • Myalgia (muscle aches and pains)
  • Palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tiredness or aggravation of symptoms following exertion, even mild exertion

If you have questions about post-COVID-19 symptom management, contact your primary care provider.

Why choose us for COVID-19 treatment

As part of the region’s premier academic medical center, our specialists collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to deliver complete care. Care teams for COVID-19 patients may include experts in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, respiratory care, infectious disease management and more.

Our infection prevention and control team has the know-how and experience to keep patients, visitors and staff safe even while treating contagious conditions. These skilled professionals consistently establish and evolve safety measures in keeping with new discoveries and information related to COVID-19.

In partnership with the University of Kansas Medical Center, our physicians regularly develop, lead and participate in clinical trials, advancing new treatments and bringing expanded options to our patients. COVID-19 is no exception.

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