CHARLOTTE, N.C. - While some develop severe cases of coronavirus,  the CDC says the majority of people with COVID-19 have a mild illness and are able to recover at home.

Spectrum News spoke with a physician assistant about which over-the-counter medicines are safe to take if you have a mild case of coronavirus.

Local health experts say if you have symptoms of coronavirus, it’s important to first get tested.

“For patients who test positive for COVID-19 and their symptoms are mild to moderate, we are recommending that they stay at home and provide themselves with self-care,” Physician Assistant with Amity Medical Group Wesley Thompson said.

Thompson is a certified HIV specialist and has been providing virology care for 35 years. He says even though there are some over-the-counter medications people can take, it’s important to remember there is no cure and these medicines could simply help alleviate the symptoms.

“If you have a cough something like Delsym or anything with dextromethorphan is fine,” Thompson said.

These can include Robitussin or DayQuil.

“There have been questions about whether you can take non-steroidals, such as Aleve and Motrin,” Thompson said. “It was proposed in a scientific paper that the pathway may produce a more variant virus or more rapid application. That has not been proven by science and a number of reputable resources have stated that the benefit of using non-steroidal, because of the anti-inflammatory and fever reduction that they provide, much outweigh any of this theoretical concern.”

Health experts say it’s also important to pay close attention to the directions when taking over-the-counter medicines. For example, Robitussin contains an ingredient called acetaminophen. The label recommends no more than six doses in a 24-period or it could cause liver damage.

Thompson said people should also be careful about using inhalers.

“People tend to overuse inhalers and if you overuse those, it can hyper-expand your lungs. That can cause just as many problems as not having adequate ability to breathe,” Thompson said.

Thompson said antihistamines are OK to take as well, but before taking any over-the-counter medicine, he advises patients consult their doctor.

The CDC says if a person develops emergency warning signs for COVID-19 that person should get medical attention immediately. These include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, and bluish lips or face.

For information from the CDC click here.