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Most COVID-19 cases are “mild,” and the vast majority of people are able to recover at home within 14 days. But even with mild cases, there can be a plethora of symptoms—and individuals of all ages can feel downright lousy, even depressed, over those two weeks.
Mild COVID-19 symptoms may include coughing, a slight fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, and/or diarrhea. A loss, or reduced, ability to smell was found in 86 percent of mild cases, according to a recent study published this month in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
“Losing a sense of smell affects a person’s ability to taste and enjoy food. Even if it’s only for a few days, that can be depressing to a lot of people,” says Dr. Steve Lawrence, a Washington University infectious disease physician with Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Eight days is the average length of time to regain smell and taste.”
A quick Google search for how to treat mild COVID-19 at home will provide the CDC’s guidelines, which are mostly, that those who are sick should rest up and drink a lot of fluids in addition to following any advice a doctor might have given them—if their symptoms remain manageable.
Twitter users have been sharing threads of advice (such as this one from an intensive care unit nurse) for managing the symptoms at home.
A September 2020 EatingWell article recommends “a smoothie made with fruit and yogurt or nut butter may help you get calories in if you’re not hungry.” If smoothies are not your thing, look to the No. 1 comfort food: soup. Ginger, added to tea or soup might help soothe an upset stomach. No surprises here, but most recommendations include drinking plenty of fluids. In addition to water, try tea with honey, broth, juice, seltzer, and electrolyte drinks.
Of getting ample rest while recovering at home, the American Sleep Foundation suggests getting an hour or two of extra sleep; adults need, on minimum, seven to eight hours of sleep a day. To help relax one’s mind as a segue to quality sleep, the association suggests such tips as taking a warm bath to relax and soothe sore muscles; using a cool-mist humidifier to decrease congestion and ease coughing; and trying an extra pillow or two under one’s head to decrease nasal stuffiness.
You can treat mild symptoms as you would with over-the-counter medicines for a cold or the flu, says Lawrence. But before buying those over-the-counter medicines, check with your primary health care provider. Some medicines could affect other conditions, such as high blood pressure or gastro-intestinal issues, or other health conditions.
Even with mild cases, keep track of symptoms should any worsen, signaling the need for immediate medical attention. Mild COVID-19 signs can take a turn for the worse. “Almost all severe cases of COVID-19 start off as mild and turn severe,” says Lawrence. “There is a spectrum of symptoms: asymptomatic, mild-to-moderate, and severe-to-critical.”
If you're experiencing health problems, please contact your medical provider immediately. For more information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, and St. Louis’ COVID-19 site.
