What To Do If You Feel Sick
Jump to: Available treatments | How to get a test | How to get treatment
What You Should Know
- If you have COVID-19 and are more likely to get very sick, medications are available that can reduce your risk of hospitalization and death.
- Don’t delay: Treatments must be started within 5-7 days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.
- Patient assistance programs are available. Find out how to pay as little as $0 for treatment.
You may be able to pick up free COVID-19 tests near you:
If You Feel Sick
Step 1: Stay away from other people, and get tested
- Stay home and away from other people–except to get medical care.
- Take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible. Most doctor's offices, health centers, and some pharmacies offer testing. If you want to test at home, you may be able to pick up free tests in your community.
Step 2: Talk to a medical professional
- Talk to a healthcare provider right away about testing and/or treatment, even if your symptoms are mild.
- If you don't have a provider, find a community health center near you. Health centers provide care to patients regardless of ability to pay.
If you have trouble breathing or notice any of these warning signs, seek medical care right away.
About Treatments
The FDA has approved or authorized several antiviral medications to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. All treatments require a prescription from a healthcare provider.
- Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) are pills you can take. You have to start taking them within five days of your first symptoms.
- Veklury (remdesivir) is an intravenous (IV) infusion that is given at a doctor’s office. It must be started within seven days of your first symptoms.
Treatments are not a substitute for vaccination. Vaccines offer the best protection against COVID-19.
Pay as little as $0 for COVID-19 Treatment
Patient assistance programs are available to help lower the cost of COVID-19 treatments, even if you don’t have insurance.
Find out if you are eligible and enroll:
- Paxlovid: Visit the PAXCESS Patient Support Program online or call 1-877-219-7225.
- Lagevrio: Visit the Merck Patient Assistance Program online or call 800-727-5400.
- For privately insured, go to the Merck Co-Pay Savings Program to download a coupon to help save on out-of-pocket costs.
- Veklury: Visit Gilead’s Advancing Access online or call 1-800-226-2056 (Option 4).
More people can get NC Medicaid as of Dec. 1, 2023.
COVID-19 Rebound
Some people may feel better then have a return of symptoms or a new positive test three to seven days later. COVID-19 rebound symptoms are typically mild. Rebound can happen regardless of whether you’ve gotten treatment.
The benefits of treatment outweigh the risk of rebound if you are at high risk for severe COVID-19. Research shows no increased risk of severe COVID-19 in people who experience rebound after treatment. Learn more about COVID-19 Rebound.
