COVID-19: Clinical Resources & Patient Education
Updated September 10, 2021
Interim Guidance for Clinical Management
- Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions: Interim Guidance: How to manage a wide range of physical and mental health consequences experienced by some patients four or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. (6/14/21)
- Updated NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines: Each recommendation is assigned a rating for strength of recommendation statement and quality of the evidence that supports the recommendation. (2/11/21)
- Management of COVID-19 at Home: View a webcast on current recommendations for advising patients on managing mild to moderate COVID-19 at home and when to escalate care. (1/22/21)
- Outpatient Management of COVID-19: Rapid Evidence Review: AFP addresses the lack of evidence-based treatments for outpatient settings; management is supportive and should include education about isolation.
- Updated Interim Guidance for Clinical Management of Patients with COVID-19 (12/8/20)
- Reinfection with COVID-19 Reports: There have been some reports of reinfection, but these are rare. The CDC is monitoring these cases and develop criteria and guidance for potential cases of reinfection. (10/27/20)
Options for Treatment
- CDC Issues Ivermectin Health Alert: Taking ivermectin for COVID-19 can cause severe illness when taken outside of its intended use or when taking veterinary formulations. The CDC issued a health alert warning about the rise in prescriptions for ivermectin and the increased number of calls to poison centers. It is important to note that ivermectin can cause severe illness when taken outside of its intended use or when taking veterinary formulations.
Ivermectin is not recommended for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Current NIH Treatment Guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. The AAFP urges caution in prescribing therapeutics for treatment or prevention of COVID-19 that have not been approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on substantial evidence for safety and efficacy.
The FDA has issued the following statements: FDA has not approved or issued an Emergency Use Authorization for ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical formulations for head lice and skin conditions. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral. For additional information see the FDA Information Page and the FDA Ivermectin FAQ.
- Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm.
- If you have a prescription for ivermectin for an FDA-approved use, get it from a legitimate source and take it exactly as prescribed.
- Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans.
- ASPR Issues National Pause: COVID-19 Variants and Effect on Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics Distribution: Results suggest that bamlanivimab and etesevimab administered together are not active against either the increasing number of P.1 or B.1.351 variants. (6/25/21)
- Updated NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines: New recommendations covering monoclonal antibodies in the outpatient setting and use of barcitinib for certain patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19. (6/11/21)
- Monoclonal Antibodies Authorized for COVID-19: The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for several monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19. View a brief overview of the EUAs. (2/9/21)
- AAFP Policy on COVID-19 Therapeutics: The AAFP cautions against prescribing therapeutics for treatment or prevention of COVID-19 that have not been approved or authorized by the FDA. (11/11/20)
- FDA Revokes EUA for Hydroxychloroquine for Treatment of COVID-19: It has not shown efficacy in its antiviral activity. Data do not support that the benefits outweigh the harms of the drug. (6/15/20)
- Evidence lacking to support use of ivermectin for COVID-19: There are insufficient data to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. (1/14/21)
- First Treatment Approved for COVID-19: FDA approved the use of remdesivir for patients who have COVID-19 and are hospitalized. (10/22/20)
Testing and Diagnosis
- AAFP COVID-19 Testing Resources Web Page: This web page provides information on who to test, access and availability, types of tests, results, impact of new variants, specimen collection, and coding and billing. (Updated 4/20/21)
Considerations for Special Populations
- Updated! AAFP Considerations for Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and COVID-19: The AAFP recommends promotion of breastfeeding and parent-infant bonding, and avoidance of parent-infant separation. (2/17/21) The AAFP offers additional breastfeeding resources to support your patients.
- Guidance for Children/Adolescents (12/8/20)
- Updated Guidance for Care of Neonates (12/8/20)
- Communication Toolkit for Migrants, Refugees, and Other Limited-English-Proficient Populations: A CDC resource for public health professionals to reach populations who need COVID-19 prevention messaging in their native languages. (6/15/20)
- Patient-Centered Care for Pregnant Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: This joint statement affirms that licensed and accredited hospitals and birth centers will take precautions to remain safe places to give birth. (3/30/20)
- AAFP Smoking Cessation Resources for Family Physicians: Tobacco users are more likely to have COVID-19 progression, requiring more extensive treatment and hospitalization. Start the conversation with your patients and use these tools to help them cut their risk. (4/15/20)
- CDC Guidance on Reopening Schools: Family physicians should closely monitor plans to reopen schools in their area and continue promoting routine vaccinations for school-age children to prevent other disease outbreaks. (8/21/20)
Infection Control/Emergency Preparedness
- Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People: This guidance provides recommendations for fully vaccinated people.
- Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations After Vaccination: CDC has updated select healthcare infection prevention and control recommendation. (4/27/21)
- Quarantine Guidance Updates: View the updated guidance for quarantining and definitions for close-contact. (2/11/21)
- Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in Healthcare Setting (2/11/21)
- Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Information Gateway: This resource from HHS, which includes COVID-19 information, offers technical assistance on health emergency preparedness to health care organizations and physicians. (2/11/21)
- Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE: Guidance on prioritizing and reusing. (2/11/21)
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for COVID-19: Key information for patients and health care professionals. (2/11/21)
- Preparedness Resources for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals: Two checklists identify preparedness actions that can be taken now. (2/11/21)
- Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes (2/11/21)
- Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (2/11/21)
Patient Education
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- Video: How To (Not) to Wear a Mask
- Video: Family Physicians are Writing Americans a Prescription to Stay Home
- About COVID-19: Includes patient fact sheets.
- Communication Resources from CDC: Materials to help communicate to patients.
- Beware of Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments
- Do I Have COVID-19 or the Flu?
- COVID-19 Testing