With over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, various mild cases can be managed. These treatments will help manage mild symptoms even just from the comfort of your home. This guide will help you navigate all of the different OTC drug selections.
To prevent doctors and hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients, it is suggested to only just visit a clinic or hospital if you have severe symptoms. If you have any of these emergency warning signs, seek fro medical attention right away:
- Inability to arouse or new confusion
- Bluish lips or face
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Pressure in the chest or persistent pain
Luckily, it is much more common to have mild symptoms that do not need emergency treatment. The most common symptoms of Coronavirus Disease are dry cough, shortness of breath, and fever. Patients usually show symptoms around 5 days after contact with the virus. It may take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear. If you are experiencing any mild symptoms, call your doctor first and tell them what you are feeling. Tell as well to your doctor if you have underlying health conditions and potential contact with coronavirus carrier. The doctors might instruct you to simply treat the symptoms with OTC drugs.
OTC Treatment Options
1. Shortness of breath
This is discomfort in breathing which feels like you are unable to breathe well enough or not able to get enough oxygen. It is recommended to see a doctor if you have these situations:
- Shortness of breath is accompanied by nausea, fainting, chest pain, or change in mental alertness.
- Shortness of breath affects your ability to function, comes on suddenly, or severe. These may reason for heart failure or heart attack.
Treatment: This symptom is usually not treated with OTC drugs. Shortness of breath is usually a symptom of a separate underlying condition. For patients that do not have coronavirus disease, it will be helpful if you have your lifestyle change, avoiding pollutants, or quitting smoking.
2. Dry cough
This is a cough that does not produce mucus. Treatment with this symptom is advised if it interferes with your daily life. One factor that may contribute to this is that these treatments might be effective form some people and have no effect on others.
Treatment: This is mainly a matter of personal preference by using lozenges, medications, or other treatments. Some of the medications you can take for dry cough are;
- Dextromethorphan
- Guaifenesin
- Benzocaine
- Organic ingredients (spearmint, menthol, honey, or peppermint extract)
3. Fever
This is a measured temperature of at least 38 C. Due to the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus, having a separate or a non-contact thermometer might be ideal.
Treatment: Acetaminophen is the most preferred OTC drug which is a safe and effective choice for treating fever symptoms. This drug is believed to treat fever by acting on the heat-regulating parts of the brain. Wherein, it results in reduces body heat through dilation of blood vessels and sweating.
