News Flash Home
The original item was published from 7/21/2022 10:41:00 AM to 5/20/2023 2:00:01 AM.

News Flash

Health - Public Health News

Posted on: May 19, 2022

[ARCHIVED] COVID-19 drugs work best when taken at the start of illness

If you're at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and test positive, start drug treatments right away

For people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, drugs are available that can reduce your chances of severe illness and death. If you are in a higher risk group and test positive for the virus, don’t wait to start treatment - call your doctor right away! Drugs to treat COVID-19 must be started within a few days after you first develop symptoms to be effective.


People who are at higher risk of severe illness include (but are not limited to):

  • Older adults. The risk increases for people in their 50s and increases in 60s, 70s, and 80s. People 85 and older are the most likely to get very sick.

  • People with certain medical conditions, like cancer, chronic kidney disease, lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, diabetes (type 1 or type 2), heart conditions, and immunocompromised or weakened immune system conditions. 

  • Pregnant and recently pregnant people. If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. Pregnancy causes changes in the body that could make it easier to get very sick from respiratory viruses like the one that causes COVID-19. These changes in the body can continue after pregnancy.

  • Being unvaccinated or not having received a booster.


Remember, drugs to treat COVID-19 are widely available, but they must be prescribed by a doctor. The sooner you start treatment, the better it will work! 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Health - Public Health News

June Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: May 26, 2023

April COVID-19 and Flu Pop-up Clinic

Posted on: April 3, 2023

March Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: February 28, 2023

February Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: January 30, 2023

January Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: December 29, 2022

December Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: November 28, 2022

November Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: October 31, 2022

October Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: October 3, 2022

Upcoming Free Septic Homeowner Trainings

Posted on: September 28, 2022

How to Report At-Home COVID-19 Test Results

Posted on: September 15, 2022

September Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: September 2, 2022