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Over-the-Counter Medicines for Mild Coronavirus Symptoms

Covid-19 symptoms.

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the world, experts learn more about the different symptoms people can experience. If you come down with a mild case of coronavirus, meaning no severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, you can usually nurse yourself back to health at home. While you should get plenty of rest and drink lots of water, you can also take some over-the-counter medicines to ease your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. The good news is that these medicines are widely available online and easy to get your hands on.

COVID-19: What Is It Like to Have Mild Coronavirus Symptoms?

Every day, the coronavirus update is in the news, with experts talking about severe, mild, and moderate cases of COVID-19. But what does it all mean?

https://youtu.be/ixhaKz3Y9u8
What Are Mild Symptoms Of Coronavirus? – DoctorOz

By now, you’re all familiar with the classic symptoms of COVID-19, like loss of smell or taste, high temperature, and a new continuous cough. Symptoms can vary massively from one person to another, with some people experiencing no symptoms whatsoever. 

A majority of people tend to experience a mild case of coronavirus. That’s not to say COVID-19 can’t take a serious toll and make you feel awful. In general, people who have mild symptoms can manage them at home. Symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills 
  • Fatigue
  • Cough 
  • Congestion and runny nose 
  • Continuous cough 
  • Sore throat 
  • Aches and pains 
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 

As you can see, even mild cases of coronavirus can be extremely uncomfortable. The good news is that for most mild cases of COVID-19, you can treat it in a similar way to flu. 

Although the risk of a severe coronavirus and hospitalization increases with age and pre-existing conditions, people of all ages can get sick. One of the most baffling aspects of the coronavirus is why it affects people so differently. No doubt experts will find out more about this in the future. But for now, it’s vital to minimize risk as much as possible. 

If you’re wondering how to avoid coronavirus, the CDC and the WHO recommend that you maintain social distancing, wear a face mask, and wash your hands often. 

6 Over-the-Counter Medicines to Relieve Mild Coronavirus Symptoms 

A mild case of coronavirus can still leave you feeling awful. When you’re fighting a high temperature and sore throat, all you want to do is climb into bed. While there’s no miracle cure to quickly treat COVID-19, these over-the-counter medicines can help ease your symptoms while the virus takes its course.

Female pharmacist discusses prescription medication with senior customer at pharmacy for over the counter medicine.
These Over-The-Counter Medicines Can Help Ease Your Symptoms (Image Source: Shutterstock)

1. Chloraseptic Lozenges

Chloraseptic Max Strength Sore Throat Lozenges are fast acting and soothe sore throats. The active ingredients are benzocaine and menthol, which numb the throat in seconds. One box contains fifteen lozenges, so they are perfect to have on the go.   

2. Mucinex Expectorant

Guaifenesin is the active ingredient in Mucinex, which is an expectorant. Expectorants are a type of medication that loosen up congestion in your chest. They do this by thinning your mucus so that you can breathe more easily. You can buy Mucinex expectorant in packs of twenty-eight tablets. Each tablet contains twelve hundred milligrams of guaifenesin for twelve-hour relief.

Hand holding medicine capsule pack at the pharmacy drugstore.
Expectorants Are A Type Of Medication That Loosen Up Congestion In Your Chest (Image Source: Shutterstock)

3. Sudafed Decongestant 

When you’re feeling congested, it’s not a bad idea to reach for Sudafed. Decongestants can help reduce nasal congestion, decrease the fluid in the nasal passage, and allow easier breathing. Sudafed is also good for sinus pressure and headaches. You have a couple of choices with Sudafed decongestants. You can opt for phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. With pseudoephedrine, you will need to pick it up from behind the pharmacy counter, but you don’t need a prescription. 

4. Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Congestion and Cough

Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Congestion and Cough is a combination medicine you can use to treat symptoms like a stuffy nose, cough, and chest congestion. It’s for symptoms caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu. When you’re fighting a cold or flu, the caplets help break up the phlegm in your chest, control your cough, and relieve nasal congestion.

Healthcare professional prescribing treatment therapy to elderly senior citizen.
A Combination Medicine You Can Use To Treat Symptoms Like A Stuffy Nose, Cough, And Chest Congestion (Image Source: Shutterstock)

5. Mucinex Day and Night 

Mucinex has another option that treats symptoms around the clock. It targets nine symptoms in one liquid gel, including fever, body pain, sore throat, headache, cough, and sinus pressure. The day gel is non-drowsy, and the night gel uses an antihistamine to help you sleep. Mucinex Day and Night is maximum strength and uses a combination of ingredients to target your symptoms.  

6. Tylenol Extra Strength Rapid Release Gels

Tylenol’s active ingredient is acetaminophen, which helps relieve fever, chills, aches, and pain. With five hundred milligrams of acetaminophen, these gelcaps are extra strength to alleviate aches and pains. Each gelcap works fast to relieve symptoms for fast and effective pain relief. You can buy a bottle of twenty-four gelcaps for under $10.

Cheerful young female smiling over her shoulder to the camera.
Each Gelcap Works Fast To Relieve Symptoms For Fast And Effective Pain Relief (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Recovering From Mild Coronavirus Symptoms at Home

As with most flu and viruses, the best thing you can do is take it easy and look after yourself. When you’re recovering at home from a mild case of COVID-19, you should do the following:

  • Drink lots of fluids. 
  • Get plenty of rest. 
  • Avoid alcohol. 
  • Use over-the-counter medicines to treat symptoms.
How To Treat Mild Coronavirus Symptoms From Home – Science Insider

Most people experience mild symptoms, but it’s still important to track your symptoms. That way, if your symptoms worsen, like you begin to have trouble breathing, you know you need to get emergency care as soon as possible.

Keeping your immune system healthy is more important than ever. By maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and incorporating immunity booster vitamins into your routine, you can support your immune function. 

If you become ill with a mild case of coronavirus, you should be able to rest and recover at home. Many of the things you do to help with the flu will also help with COVID-19, like drinking water and getting plenty of rest. By using some over-the-counter medicines, you can help to alleviate your symptoms and feel more comfortable. While they won’t shorten the length of the virus, they may be useful in getting a fever down and controlling your cough.