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COVID-19 medications are available through your doctor, local pharmacies, and health clinics. If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test positive, do not wait to get treated. You must take oral COVID-19 medication within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms. Click here to find a Test-to-Treat location near you (available in English, Spanish and Chinese).

There are medications that can be given to people at high risk of severe illness to help prevent hospitalization or even death. Treatment works best when given early.

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19 and are an older adult (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing with older age) or someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, treatments are available that can reduce your chances of serious illness. Contact a health professional right away after a positive test to determine if you may be eligible, even if your symptoms are mild right now. Don’t delay. Treatment must be started within the first few days to be effective.

A physician or other provider is needed to write a prescription for pills or give an injection or IV infusion. People at risk of severe disease who test positive for COVID should talk to their primary care physician (PCP) for treatment. For people who do not have a PCP or cannot get ahold of their provider Southern Illinois University  (SIU) has a telehealth, “Test to Treat ” option to receive a remote consultation and prescription for COVID medication.

SIU’s program is part of the nationwide Test to Treat program that provides individuals a way to rapidly access free testing and treatment at hundreds of locations nationwide, including Cook County Health . For details, visit: aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat .

COVID-19 Treatment Options

Several treatment options are available for COVID-19:

  • Monoclonal antibodies are used to prevent severe illness and hospitalization. They can be given as an injection or infusion in the outpatient or inpatient setting.
  • Oral antivirals are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection.
  • Monoclonal Antibodies available: Remdesivir
  • Oral Antivirals available: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir

For more information on currently available treatments, click here.

Updated December 1, 2023, 4:42 PM

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