Manage Symptoms
Most people can safely manage their symptoms with home treatment, such as drinking plenty of fluids, rest, and using a humidifier or hot shower to ease a cough or sore throat. If you have a fever, you can use non-prescription medicine like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to help with some of the symptoms of COVID-19.
If your symptoms worsen, or if you do not improve after five or six days, call 811, your family doctor, a health centre, or the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day so they can determine if you need to be assessed again.
Go to an emergency department or call 911 if you:
- find it hard to breathe
- have chest pain
- can't drink anything
- feel very sick
- feel confused
If you are immune-compromised, speak to your health care provider.
Living with Post COVID-19/Long-COVID
Some people who have had COVID-19 experience a range of symptoms that can last months or years after the initial illness, which can then have a significant impact on quality of life and function.
Post-COVID-19 (also known as "long-COVID") is an umbrella term for any symptoms that remain after you are initially infected with COVID-19.
COVID-19 Treatments in BC
People who are extremely vulnerable to severe illness might benefit from COVID-19 treatments if diagnosed early in the stages of infection. COVID-19 treatments typically need to be started within five to seven days of symptoms.
Speak to your primary care provider to determine whether you are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection and whether you may benefit from early treatment.
For more information, please call 1-888-268-4319 or go to www.gov.bc.ca/covidtreatments
