COVID-19
COVID is now a familiar winter (and summer) virus, but it still hits older and immunocompromised people hard. If you’re at higher risk, test early: antivirals work best within 5 days of symptoms starting.
Symptoms
- Sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever, tiredness, headache and aches
- Loss of smell or taste is less common than early in the pandemic
- Most people recover within 1–2 weeks
Call 000 for trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, blue lips, or fainting.
Testing
- Rapid antigen tests (RATs) work; a negative test early on may need repeating 24–48 hours later.
- Combined COVID and flu RATs are available from pharmacies.
- A PCR test may be needed to access antivirals or if you’re at high risk.
What helps
Antivirals are for people at higher risk of severe illness. Ask early: they work best within 5 days.
- Step 1 · Self-careRest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofenStay home while unwell.
- Works
- Most people recover in 1–2 weeks
- Cost
- Low cost
- How long
- Days
- Watch for
- Worsening breathlessness or chest pain needs urgent care.
- Step 2 · PrescriptionNirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) or molnupiravirOral antivirals for eligible people: mainly older adults and those with risk factors or a weak immune system.
- Works
- Paxlovid cut hospital admission and death substantially in high-risk unvaccinated adults; benefit is smaller in vaccinated people
- Cost
- $25 on the PBS for eligible people ($7.70 concession)
- How long
- 5 days
- Watch for
- Paxlovid interacts with many medicines (some statins, heart and seizure medicines, some blood thinners). Tell your doctor everything you take.
Don’t wait to see if it gets worse. Day 6 is too late for the pills.
Costs are rough Australian prices and vary by pharmacy and provider. PBS co-payment: $25, or $7.70 with a concession card. Results are typical figures from trials, not promises.
Protecting others
- Stay home while you have symptoms.
- For 7 days, avoid visiting aged care, hospitals and people at high risk; wear a mask in crowded indoor places.
- Open windows and good ventilation help.
Vaccines
- Boosters are recommended every 6 months for people 75 and over, and yearly for people 65–74; other adults can have a yearly dose.
- Severely immunocompromised people may need extra doses.
- Updated vaccines target recent variants. Check the latest ATAGI advice with your GP or pharmacist.
After COVID
- Symptoms lasting beyond 3 months may be long COVID. See your GP; there are treatments for many symptoms.
Common questions
Who can get COVID antivirals in Australia?
Mainly older people and those with risk factors for severe illness or a weakened immune system. Eligibility rules change, so ask your GP or pharmacist early. Treatment should start within 5 days of symptoms.
How long should I stay home with COVID?
Stay home while you have symptoms. For 7 days, avoid aged care, hospitals and high-risk people, and wear a mask in crowded indoor places.
How often should I get a COVID booster?
Every 6 months for people 75 and over, and every 12 months for people 65–74. Younger adults can have a yearly dose, and some immunocompromised people need more.
Helpful resources
- healthdirect 1800 022 22224/7 nurse advice and the COVID symptom checker. Free.
Evidence and more information
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: COVID-19
- Hammond J et al. Oral nirmatrelvir for high-risk, nonhospitalized adults with COVID-19 (EPIC-HR, NEJM 2022)
maladywise.com/covid/