What scientists do and don't know about treating coronavirus

MEDICAL STUDIES ON COVID-19 are being released at a breakneck pace, often generating confusion over simple matters such as which pain relievers to take, or how to care for sick family members at home.

For guidance, National Geographic turned to leading physicians and researchers across the U.S. and Canada for their recommendations on in-home care, as well as when to seek medical attention.

How to combat a fever

The good news is that approximately 80 percent of all COVID-19 cases exhibit only mild to moderate symptoms that don’t require hospitalization. Doctors recommend that these patients self-isolate, stay hydrated, eat well, and manage their symptoms as best they can.

For taking care of the fever associated with many illnesses, including COVID-19, physicians suggest taking acetaminophen—known internationally as paracetamol—before ibuprofen. If the fever persists, patients should then consider switching to ibuprofen, says Julie Autmizguine, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, Canada.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/03/as-coronavirus-surges-how-hospitals-are-treating-covid-disease/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=ngp::cmp=editorial::add=SpecialEdition_20200327&rid=FB26C926963C5C9490D08EC70E179424