"What are my treatment options?”

This is typically the first question medical providers hear after a patient learns they have tested positive for COVID-19.

For patients 12 and older who are not hospitalized but at high risk of developing more severe symptoms, monoclonal antibody therapies may be prescribed. These therapies, administered as soon as possible after diagnosis and within 10 days of symptom onset, have been shown to significantly reduce virus levels within days of treatment. The goal is to lessen symptom severity and help prevent hospitalizations.

Given through intravenous (IV) infusion or a subcutaneous shot in the arm, monoclonal antibodies neutralize the virus by binding to its spike protein. This keeps COVID-19 from attaching to the surface of the patient's cells.

Texas Health has multiple sites offering monoclonal antibody infusions to patients who meet specific criteria for treatment. A referral by a provider affiliated with Texas Health Resources is required. You can also learn more about regional centers here.