Covid-19 Antiviral Treatment in Pregnancy

Oral antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of COVID-19 related severe illness, hospitalization and death and is recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding patients by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM).

Test To Treat is an online tool that connects people and healthcare providers with COVID-19 antiviral treatments. Patients, caregivers, family members or healthcare providers can use this tool to refer people for an appointment. COVID-19 treatments must be started early in order to work, so don’t delay.

Unvaccinated pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection or who have had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person are strongly encouraged to sign up for antiviral treatment. Vaccinated pregnant patients may also sign up but can be reassured that their course of illness will likely be mild due to their vaccination status.

If you test positive for COVID-19, stay hydrated and use acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed for fever or body aches (max dose of 1,000 mg every 6 hours). Monitor and call your healthcare provider for significant shortness of breath (a change from your pregnancy baseline), fever unresponsive to acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or inability to keep food or fluid down.

The best prevention against COVID-19 infection and severe illness continues to be vaccination. Vaccines and boosters are recommended for pregnant, postpartum and lactating people to reduce risk for COVID-19 and consequent complications. Find a vaccine here.