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How is COVID-19 treated and how do I relieve my symptoms?
Most adults with a mild case of COVID-19 can treat their symptoms in a similar way to how they treat a seasonal flu. That is, rest at home, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain and fevers, keep hydrated and take cough medicine if needed.
However, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved certain medicines for the treatment of COVID-19 in Australia.
Learn more here about COVID-19 medications.
Adults with severe COVID-19 symptoms may need to be treated in hospital with corticosteroids, antivirals and other drugs depending on how severe their symptoms are.
Medicines such as antibiotics, ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are not effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. They are not approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in Australia.
How can I help manage my symptoms?
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. It can make you feel overwhelmingly tired, physically and mentally.
To manage fatigue, make sure you get enough rest, maintain a healthy diet and stay well hydrated.
Sipping warm fluids may help soothe a sore throat.
If you are feeling uncomfortable with pain and fever, over-the-counter medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help.
In general, you should avoid smoking when recovering from COVID-19 and make sure that your room has good air circulation.
State and territory health departments also have recommendations for treating COVID-19 at home:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
How do I monitor my symptoms?
Most people can manage COVID-19 at home. Those who have mild COVID-19 symptoms may be advised that it is safe for them to manage their symptoms at home, instead of going to hospital.
If you’re managing COVID-19 at home, it’s important to continually monitor your symptoms, or the symptoms of the person you’re caring for.
Why is it important that I monitor my symptoms?
Most people can manage COVID-19 at home and may have either no symptoms or mild to moderate symptoms. Symptoms can change and get worse, so it’s important to understand what to look for.
A general practitioner (GP) can work with you to monitor your symptoms while you are sick. They may ask you to keep a record of your temperature, oxygen levels and heart rate.
When should I seek medical advice?
You should contact your GP if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and you’re pregnant, have any chronic conditions or have any concerns about your health.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has developed a guide for people managing COVID at home. It includes a COVID-19 action plan and a diary that you can use to track your symptoms.
While managing COVID-19 symptoms at home, ask yourself these questions 3 times a day — morning, afternoon and night:
- Can I get my own food?
- Can I drink?
- Can I go to the toilet normally?
- Can I take my regular medication?
How do I check my respiratory rate (breathing)?
You can monitor yourself for changes to your normal breathing patterns.
Try to relax and breathe normally. Set a timer for 30 seconds, then count the number of times you breathe in and out before the time is up. Double this number and this will be your respiratory rate per minute. Write this number down.
A normal resting breathing rate for an adult should be between 10 and 20 breaths per minute. This is different for everyone and will depend on your age and other health conditions.
If you count a total of between 20 and 30 breaths per minute, you may have moderate respiratory symptoms. You should contact your doctor for a review as soon as possible.
If you count more than 30 breaths per minute, you have severe respiratory symptoms. You should seek emergency treatment and call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and tell the ambulance staff that you have COVID-19.
Your individual circumstances, such as age and other health conditions, must be considered, which means these numbers may need to be adapted.
Your GP or nurse can also count your respiratory rate if you are doing a video check-up. They can do this by watching your chest rise and fall. If you can’t check your own respiratory rate, think about if you are:
- breathless when you walk
- breathless when you are sitting
- breathless when you are speaking
- wheezing
- have a persistent, new or changed cough
- have pain or pressure in your chest
Make a note to discuss with your GP if feelings of breathlessness are getting better, worse or remain the same.
How do I check my heart rate (pulse)?
Your resting heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest — such as when you are relaxed, sitting or lying down.
Resting heart rate will be different from person to person.
If you have a pulse oximeter, you can use it to check your heart rate. Your heart rate is the number shown next to the PR (pulse rate) or BPM (beats per minute) symbol.
Some smartphones and smartwatches have a heart rate monitor function; however, these are not accurate and should not be used. If you don’t have a pulse oximeter, you can check your heart rate manually by placing your index and middle fingers of one hand on the opposite wrist under the thumb.
With your fingers lightly on your wrist, you can count the number of beats that you feel over 30 seconds. Then double the number of beats you counted over 30 seconds. This number is your heart rate. Write this number down.
A normal resting heart rate for an adult can range between 60 and 100 beats a minute.
A lower resting heart rate usually means your heart is working more efficiently and is more fit. For example, an athlete might have a resting heart rate of around 40 beats a minute, but a slow pulse could also be a sign of problems.
A fast resting heart rate (higher than 100 beats per minute) can also be a sign of problems. You should contact your doctor or general practice for a review if your heart rate is low or high.
Your individual circumstances, such as age and other health conditions, must be considered, which means these numbers may need to be adapted.
How do I check my oxygen level?
If you’ve been given a pulse oximeter, you may be asked to check your oxygen levels once or twice a day. The device clips over your finger. It doesn’t hurt and only takes a minute to check your oxygen levels.
You can also purchase a pulse oximeter from a pharmacy over the phone or online and have it delivered to your home. Some smartphones and smartwatches have a pulse oximeter function; however, these are not accurate and should not be used.
If you are looking after a child with COVID-19 and are asked to monitor oxygen levels, you might need a pulse oximeter specially designed for children. Your GP or nurse will discuss this with you.
When testing your oxygen:
- Remove any nail polish or false nails. These can interfere with the device.
- Wash your hands with warm water and thoroughly dry them. The device works best when your hands are warm.
- Sit in an upright position.
- Give your fingers a wiggle and rub them to get the blood flowing.
- Attach the clip to one of your fingers so that the tip of your finger is touching the end of the device. The palm of your hand should be facing down and the screen of the pulse oximeter should be facing up so you can read it.
- Keep your hand and fingers still.
- Breathe normally and restfully.
- After waiting for 1 minute, record the number next to the SpO2 symbol.
Pulse oximeters may over- or under-estimate oxygen saturation. The accuracy of the measurement can be affected by many factors, including skin pigmentation, correct fitting of the device, peripheral blood flow, nail coatings, tattoos and dyes, and maintenance and cleaning of the devices.
If you are not getting a reading, or if the reading is under 95%, give your fingers a wiggle, take a few breaths and try the device on a different finger.
Your oxygen level should be 95% or higher.
An oxygen level of 93% – 94%, may mean you have moderate COVID-19 symptoms and this could be a sign you need more frequent check-ups with your GP or nurse. You should contact your general practice for a review as soon as possible.
An oxygen level of 92% or less, means you may have severe COVID-19 symptoms. Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and tell the ambulance staff that you have COVID-19.
Your individual circumstances, such as age and other health conditions, must be considered, which means these numbers may need to be adapted.
Why might I need to go to hospital?
Most people with COVID-19 will recover without needing to go to hospital or receiving any special treatment — especially if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
However, if you or someone in your care develop any of the following symptoms of COVID-19, this indicates more severe or serious illness so you should go to hospital for treatment:
- breathlessness at rest, and/or you’re unable to speak in sentences
- unconscious, faint or drowsy
- skin or lips turning blue or pale
- cold and clammy, or pale and mottled, skin
- pain or pressure in the chest
- confusion
- becoming difficult to wake up
- not passing urine (wee) or passing a lot less urine than usual
- coughing up blood
Refer to your COVID-19 Action Plan, if you have one. It will advise of what to do and who to contact.
Your GP may advise you to go to hospital if you experience other symptoms, depending on your health and circumstances.
Some people may need to be admitted to hospital if they are at a higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
How do I get to hospital in an emergency?
If you experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, call emergency services on triple zero (000) immediately. If you can’t call, ask someone else to.
Tell the phone operator that you have COVID-19 and are experiencing severe symptoms and that you need an ambulance.
Do not wait for your healthcare provider to contact you if you have symptoms that are causing you concern.
If you are well enough to go to hospital for emergency medical care without an ambulance, use private transport or walk (if practical).
When you arrive at the hospital, tell healthcare workers that you have COVID-19.
You must:
- wear a face mask
- keep your distance from other people as much as possible
- use hand sanitiser
How do I prepare for hospital?
If you need to go to hospital and are well enough to prepare for your stay, organise time off work and anything else that needs attending to while you’re in hospital.
Bring your Medicare, private health-insurance and concession cards, referral letters. This will facilitate your admission.
Don’t forget to bring your medication with you if you take any. It’s best to keep it in its original packaging. You should also bring other health aids such as hearing aids, glasses and walking aids.
If you are staying overnight, bring loose-fitting clothing, night clothes and non-slip footwear and toiletries such as your toothbrush.
If your GP has done an action plan, bring it with you since it will have relevant information about you on it.
Wear a face mask and bring hand sanitiser.
If your doctor has referred you to hospital, you may go through a pre-admission process. This may involve confirming your personal details and medical history and explaining what will happen during your hospital stay. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have. You may find it helpful to take notes.
What can I expect if I go to hospital?
If you are seriously sick with COVID-19, you may be immediately admitted to hospital through its emergency department after calling triple zero (000) and getting an ambulance. Depending on how unwell you are, you may be placed in intensive care.
If you don’t need intensive care, but still need care in a hospital, you may be admitted to a room or ward.
Where available, COVID-19 patients will be cared for in rooms that lower the risk of transmission, such as rooms with negative pressure or negative airflow.
During your stay, healthcare workers will look after you and involve you in their discussions about the most appropriate care for you.
An allied health professional may assist you in your recovery. This may include physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter to help you during your stay.
How much will my COVID-19 treatment cost?
If you have a Medicare card, you can get a range of healthcare services at a lower cost or with no out-of-pocket expenses, including medical services from doctors, specialists, other health professionals, hospital treatment and prescription medicines.
If you have treatment as a public patient at a public hospital, you do not pay anything for the medical services provided.
Services Australia has information on who is eligible for Medicare and how to enrol.
Costs for many private treatments are also fully covered by Medicare and private health insurers. However, you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs if you have medical treatment as a private patient in a private or public hospital.
If your health deteriorates and you need an ambulance to get to hospital, you may have to pay a fee — it depends on which state you’re in and whether you have private health insurance.
