Is COVID finally gone? What to know about the virus 4 years after pandemic started

It’s been four years since the pandemic began and upon getting sick people still question: Is it Covid or a common cold?

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has loosened limitations on individuals who test positive, as long as they ‘start to feel better’ and don’t have a fever, studies show the virus still looms.

Many people, whether they have contracted the virus or not, remain terrified of it though experts say symptoms are milder due to vaccines.

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Here’s what you should know about COVID in 2024

The most common Covid symptoms are consistent with the most recent dominant variant, JN.1.

• Coughing

• Body aches

• Headaches

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Congestion

Though Covid is mild for some people, it continues to be toxic and even fatal. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of mid-February, around 10,000 deaths in 2024 were linked to COVID, and over 21,000 hospital admissions were due to the virus.

Severe illness from COVID is far less common than it was years ago but experts say they are still seeing it. They say people with compromised immune systems and underlying medical conditions are typically the sickest. Adults over 65 are also at high risk.

What medication to take to battle a COVID infection

• The National Institutes of Health conducted a pilot trial that found that the antiviral drug Paxlovid is effective against severe Covid, reducing the probability of death by 73% if given within the first five days of an infection. As soon as they exhibit symptoms or test positive, experts advise high-risk individuals to get in touch with their physicians to discuss getting a prescription. Not everyone should use Paxlovid. It’s not recommended to patients with advanced kidney disease and it can interact with a number of drugs, including popular ones designed to prevent blood clots and decrease blood pressure.

• Remdesivir, a medication that must be administered intravenously, may be more difficult to obtain but could be an option for those unable to take Paxlovid.

• People can treat covid symptoms at home, just like any other respiratory condition, while ensuring to get enough rest and fluids. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) is recommended if you have fever or body aches. Over-the-counter cold and flu remedies that contain decongestants or cough suppressants can also be taken, though they aren’t highly recommended by physicians because they don’t work for everyone and can make you drowsy.

Seek help immediately if you feel short of breath. Experts say if symptoms don’t improve in a few days or if they improve then get worse, a secondary illness like pneumonia could be the cause.

The fastest-growing COVID variant in the United States at the moment is JN.1, which was originally discovered in September. The CDC notes that the spread of JN.1 does not appear to present any new health hazards beyond those associated with other recent variations.