COVID-19 Treatment: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What You Need to Know

When it comes to COVID-19 treatment, the medical approaches used to manage infection and reduce severe outcomes in people with SARS-CoV-2. Also known as coronavirus therapy, it’s changed dramatically since 2020—not because we had all the answers, but because we kept testing what worked. Early on, doctors tried everything from hydroxychloroquine to ivermectin. Most of those didn’t hold up. Today, the focus is on a handful of proven tools that actually reduce hospital stays and death risk.

Antiviral drugs, medications that stop the virus from multiplying inside your body. Also known as direct-acting antivirals, they’re most effective when taken within the first five days of symptoms. Paxlovid and Remdesivir are the big ones. Paxlovid cuts hospitalization risk by nearly 90% in high-risk adults. Remdesivir, given in clinics or hospitals, helps people who are sick enough to need oxygen but not yet on a ventilator. Both require a prescription. You can’t just grab them off the shelf.

Monoclonal antibodies, lab-made proteins that mimic your immune system’s ability to fight off viruses. Also known as mAb therapy, they were once a frontline defense. But most have lost effectiveness as the virus evolved. Only a few newer versions still work against current strains—and even those are only used in very specific cases. The FDA updates their list regularly. Don’t assume what worked last year still does.

For people who get really sick, oxygen therapy, the delivery of extra oxygen to help patients breathe when their lungs are damaged. Also known as supplemental oxygen, it’s not glamorous—but it saves lives. Hospitals use nasal cannulas, masks, or ventilators depending on severity. There’s no magic pill here—just steady, monitored support while the body fights the infection. Steroids like dexamethasone are often added to calm dangerous inflammation.

What’s missing from most headlines? Post-COVID care, the long-term management of symptoms that linger after the initial infection clears. Also known as long COVID, it affects a real number of people. Fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations—these aren’t "just in your head." They’re documented. Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about pacing, physical therapy, and sometimes medication for specific symptoms like dizziness or sleep issues. Many clinics now specialize in this. You’re not alone if you’re still recovering months later.

There’s no single cure for COVID-19. But there are clear, science-backed steps that make a difference—if you act fast and know what to ask for. The posts below break down exactly what’s still recommended, what’s been dropped, and how real patients have navigated treatment, side effects, and recovery. You’ll find checklists for when to call your doctor, what to watch for after discharge, and how to avoid dangerous interactions with other meds you’re already taking. This isn’t theory. It’s what people are using right now.