Antiviral medicines target the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 to prevent it infecting healthy cells in your body and multiplying. This helps stop the spread of the virus through your body and helps your immune system to fight off the infection.
By reducing how severe the illness is, you are less likely to go to hospital, develop breathing difficulties, need assistance with oxygen or intensive care treatment, or die from COVID-19. It’s important to note that antivirals are not a substitute for vaccination.