Should we learn about antiviral medications given when COVID-19 develops?

When we hear the word COVID-19, we still get a little scared, don't we? But unlike before, there are now medications that can help us control this virus . These can reduce symptoms and help us recover faster. Today, we're talking about antiviral drugs , which are one of those important treatments that doctors recommend.

What are these antiviral drugs?

Simply put, these are medicines that help our bodies fight viruses that have entered our bodies. Think of it like we have a set of defense soldiers in our bodies. When a virus enters, these soldiers fight it. Antiviral medicines give these soldiers extra strength and help. Then it is easier to defeat the virus.

These medications can reduce your symptoms and shorten the length of time you are sick.

Viral infections like the common cold usually don't require these medications, as our bodies heal on their own. However, if the infection persists or becomes life-threatening, such as in some cases of COVID-19, your doctor may decide to give you an antiviral medication like this.

These medications are given mainly in two ways:

• Oral tablets: You can take these at home.
• Through a vein (Intravenous - IV): These are given by a healthcare professional in a hospital.

What are the specific antivirals for COVID-19?

There are two main oral medications used to treat patients who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19. These are Paxlovid and Molnupiravir.

Let's look at the information about these two medications this way.

Let's learn more about Paxlovid.

This is the main oral antiviral drug currently used for COVID-19.

Who is this medicine given to?

It is given to people over 12 years of age (and weighing more than 40 kg), who have mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19, and who are at high risk of developing severe disease . "High risk" refers to people with other medical conditions such as diabetes , heart disease, high blood pressure , obesity , kidney disease, or who are older.

When should this start?

This is very important. Once diagnosed with COVID-19, this medication should be started as soon as possible , within 5 days of the onset of symptoms. The effectiveness of the medication decreases over time.

How does this work?

This is actually a combination of two types of medication.

1. Nirmatrelvir: This stops the virus from multiplying inside the body, which means it stops it from spreading.

2. Ritonavir: This helps keep the first drug (nirmatrelvir) in our bodies for longer, at higher concentrations. It's like a booster for the main drug.

How to take the medicine

There are three pills per dose. Normatrelvir is two pink pills and ritonavir is one white pill. These three pills should be taken together, twice a day (morning and evening), for 5 days continuously. You will need to take 30 pills over the full 5 days.

Will COVID Rebound After Taking Paxlovid?

This is also a problem for many people. Some people may recover from COVID-19 and then develop symptoms again within 2 to 8 days. Or, a test that was negative may come back positive. Doctors call this a 'COVID rebound.'

This can happen whether you have received the Covid vaccine or not. It can also happen after you finish the 5-day course of Paxlovid.

But there's nothing to worry about. The good news is that there have been no reports of a severe resurgence of the disease this way. So experts like the CDC say that another round of Paxil or other treatment is not needed.

But if you have a rebound, you should follow these steps to protect others:

• Stay home and isolate yourself from others for at least 5 days . Wear a well-fitting mask if you go out with other people.
• If you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms are improving, you can stop isolating after 5 days.
• However, continue to wear a face mask for a full 10 days from the day your rebound symptoms begin.
• If you still test positive after 10 days, talk to your doctor. At that point, the chance of you infecting someone else is very low.

How effective is this antiviral medication really?

Research has clearly shown that taking this oral antiviral medication within the first 5 days of infection significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.

Drugs like Remdesivir, which is given intravenously, have also been shown to reduce complications of COVID-19 and help people recover faster.

This medicine is used to prevent the disease from getting worse after infection. Therefore, if you develop symptoms of COVID, it is very important to seek medical advice immediately.

Covid-19, Antivirals, Paxlovid, Covid Treatment, COVID Rebound