Can Mucinex products be used to treat symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms, from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms include, but are not limited to cough, fever, headache, runny nose, congestion and sore throat. Many of these symptoms may be reported by people with COVID-19. Not all people exposed to the virus will show or feel symptoms.

The CDC advises self-care for COVID-19 sufferers with milder symptoms, this includes getting rest, staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen to feel better. If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by being infected with influenza viruses (A, B, and C), while COVID-19 is caused by being infected with a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19are very similar i.e. fever, fatigue, cough, body aches making it hard to tell the difference based on symptom presentation alone. Testing may be required to make a diagnosis.

Although flu and COVID-19 share many characteristics, they also have some key differences. More severe symptoms such as very high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea are not classic symptoms of flu, but may be associated with COVID-19. COVID-19 can be particularly severe in people with pre-existing illness. While more is learned every day, there is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it. The differences in symptoms listed above is not an exhaustive list of all possible symptoms that may occur. If you have further questions or concerns about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information by clicking the link https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm#table

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets, typically when an infected individual coughs, talks or sneezes. The best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Important to note that asymptomatic people can also spread the virus. The CDC recommends key precautions;

·     frequent hand washing with soap and water

·     using a hand sanitizer that contains at least60% alcohol when soap and water is not available

·     avoiding close contact with people who are sick

·     give a 6 feet distance whenever possible, especially with people living outside of your household

·     covering your mouth and nose with a mask when around others

·     covering coughs and sneezes

·     avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands

·     cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily

The CDC also recommends getting a flu vaccine to reduce the risk of flu illness and subsequent complications. It can also help save healthcare resources for the care of COVID-19 patients.

Closely monitoring your health. If you have further questions about how to prevent getting sick, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html#:~:text=-%20Some%20people%20without%20symptoms,)%20from%20other%20people.

The common cold and COVID-19 are both respiratory viral infections. The common cold is the broad term used for a respiratory viral infection resulting in a self-limiting illness with generally mild symptoms.The predominant cause of the common cold is the rhinovirus, but some coronaviruses can also cause the common cold. COVID-19 is caused by being infected with a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Some symptoms occur in both the common cold and COVID-19 (such as cough, fever, runny nose or congestion), but there are key differences. More severe symptoms such as very high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea are not classic symptoms of the common cold, but may be associated with COVID-19. COVID-19 can be particularly severe in people with pre-existing illness. If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information. https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html

Mucinex products have not been tested in and are not specifically indicated for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, however, products in the Mucinex range may help to alleviate some specific milder symptoms. The Mucinex family of products contain several active ingredients which are commonly used to treat a variety of symptoms related to cold and flu.These include cough, fever, headache, runny nose, congestion and sore throat.Many of these symptoms may be reported by people with COVID-19. The CDC advises self-care for COVID-19 sufferers with milder symptoms, this includes getting rest, staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen to feel better. If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.

Mucinex products have not been tested in and are not specifically indicated for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, however, products in the Mucinex range may help to alleviate some of the milder symptoms. The Mucinex family of products contain several active ingredients which are commonly used to treat a variety of symptoms related to cold and flu.These include cough, fever, headache, runny nose, congestion and sore throat.Many of these symptoms may be reported by people with COVID-19. The CDC advises self-care for COVID-19 sufferers with milder symptoms, this includes getting rest, staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen to feel better. If you have further questions about your symptoms or COVID-19, please discuss with your healthcare professional. You can also visit the CDC website for more helpful information. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older to wear a mask in public settings to prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people.  The mask serves as a simple barrier to source control respiratory droplets when the person wearing it coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.  COVID-19 spreads mainly among people in close contact with one another so the use of masks is particularly important in settings where social distancing (about 6 feet) is difficult to maintain.

For more information on mask effectiveness and who should wear one, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html#evidence-effectiveness.

The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to stay at home and minimize your exposure to public settings.  If you do travel, the CDC advises appropriate steps to protect yourself and others:

-       Wear a mask

-       Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household

-       Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)

-       Avoid contact with anyone who is sick

-       Avoid touching your face

Do not travel if you are sick or have been around someone who has been sick in the past 14 days. Some state, local, and territorial governments have testing, stay-at-home, or quarantine requirements for those who have recently traveled.  Check local public health websites for information on requirements before you travel.  For more information on traveling, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Ftravel-in-the-us.html.

If you’re hosting or attending a gathering, take appropriate measures to best protect yourself and others:

-       Do not host or attend a social gathering if you are sick or have had close contact with someone who is sick.

-       Remind guests to stay home if they are sick

-       Keep events outdoor when possible. If outdoors is not feasible, make sure the space is well ventilated.

-       Limit the number of attendees so that safe social distancing (at least 6 feet) can be maintained between people not from the same household

-       Wear masks when less than 6 feet apart or indoors.

-       Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer

-       Limit the number of people cooking, serving food, or in food preparation areas.

-       Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between uses.

States and localities have varying rules, regulations and laws regarding events and gatherings.  Check local health sites for restrictions and guidance. For additional measures or information on social gatherings, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#restaurant

The virus that causes COVID-19 is believed to spread mostly from respiratory droplets between people in close contact with one another (less than 6 feet).  These droplets or small particles are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes.

It is also possible that the droplets can land on surfaces, be touched by a person who then touches their own face.  This is not thought to be the main way the virus transmits.

For more information about the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Spread

The CDC suggests the risk of getting COVID-19 from eating or handling food is very low.  While it is possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching their own face, coronaviruses are believed to primarily be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Currently, there is no evidence that food is associated with the virus that causes COVID-19.  This includes packaged food, food cooked at home, and food served at restaurants.

To learn more about how to protect yourself while dining, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/food-and-COVID-19.html.

- COVID-19 vaccines leave the human body with T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, defensive white blood cells that serves as the body’s “memory” for how to fight a certain virus.

- Currently there are two manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccinations that have been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) in the United States by the FDA, each working to build immunity. For more information on how the vaccines work, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fabout-vaccines%2Fhow-they-work.html

- There are three main types of vaccine technologies and only one type – mRNA - that currently has EUA:

o   mRNA give our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that our bodies then make copies of.  Our bodies then build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the virus if we are infected in the future.

o   Protein Subunit vaccines contain harmless proteins of the virus that cause COVID-19, not the entire germ. The vaccine helps our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong in the body and begin making T-lymphocytes and antibodies to fight off the virus in the future.

o   Vector vaccines contain viral vectors, or a weakened version of the live virus. Our cells make a protein that is unique to the virus that causes COVID-19 which then multiply. This prompts our bodies to build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that remember how to fight that virus in the case of future infection.

- For more information regarding the various types of vaccines, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html

- The COVID-19 vaccines with current Emergency Use Authorization in the United States require two doses. The first dose helps the body start to build protection and a second shot a few weeks later is needed to maximize protection from the vaccine.

- More information on dosing can be found https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fabout-vaccines%2Fhow-they-work.html

- The virus that causes COVID-19, like any other viruses, can change through mutation. Currently, there are multiple variants of the virus that cause COVID-19. Scientists continue to learn more about these mutations and variants every day, including whether the currently approved vaccines are effective against them.

- For the latest information on known variants, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html

- While studies have shown strong efficacy of the vaccinations, the vaccination does not fully eliminate the possibility of getting COVID-19.  Additionally, it is not currently known whether getting vaccinated prevents you from spreading the virus to others even if you don’t get sick. To continue to protect yourself and others, continue to take measures like wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands often. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html