COVID-19 Care & Treatment

Most people with mild symptoms and no underlying health conditions can recover at home, as with the flu or a cold.

For those who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, there are several therapies to help prevent severe complications and hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Therapies for High-Risk Patients

For high-risk patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 (within five to seven days of onset of symptoms), we offer some potential therapies, based on needs and availability, that can prevent the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms and hospitalization:

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid): The preferred treatment for COVID-19 is Paxlovid, which your primary care doctor can prescribe if needed within five days of symptoms appearing. If you’re not a candidate for this oral antiviral, you could be referred to a specialist for either of these following treatments.
Remdesivir: This intravenous antiviral can be given as a daily infusion for three days to high-risk persons within seven days of symptom onset.
Molnupiravir: This alternative oral antiviral can be given within five days of symptoms appearing.

Care for Long-Term Complications

If you have long-term chronic problems from COVID-19 or "long COVID," you can get help from our Post-COVID Care clinic for your recovery.

COVID-19 Resources

To prevent getting COVID-19, get vaccinated and follow CDC guidelines.

Info for patients and visitors: Learn more about our COVID-19 services.
Appointments: If you have questions about an upcoming appointment at UC San Diego Health, please call your doctor's office.
General questions: If you have general questions about UC San Diego Health and the pandemic, please consult your primary care provider.