Keep Up with CDC Guidelines for Treatment of Mild to Moderate COVID-19

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a health advisory update for providers and the public on effective treatments for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at risk of more severe outcomes.

For non-hospitalized patients, the CDC Treatment Guideline Panel primarily recommends the use of either ritonavir-boosted nirmatrevir (Paxlovid) or remdesivir, and secondarily recommends bebtelovimab or molnupiravir. Although these medications were in short supply earlier in the pandemic, they are now widely available and recommended.

More significantly, the update discussed treatments to avoid, such as systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Recent data suggest that providers are increasing use of systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics to treat outpatients with COVID-19. But these drugs can cause harm and provide no demonstrated benefit in patients with COVID-19 who do not need supplemental oxygen or have a bacterial coinfection. Even short courses of systemic corticosteroids have been associated with adverse events, such as hyperglycemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and infections, whereas unneeded antibiotics can weaken the immune system.

Because these medications may affect patient readiness for and recovery from an operation, surgeons should remain aware of the latest CDC COVID-19 treatment recommendations. Visit the ACS COVID-19 Resource Center for more information.