Is there really a Paxlovid COVID-19 rebound?

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COVID-19 rebounds can happen even if you don't take Paxlovid By Alice Park Senior Health Correspondent Reports of rebound COVID-19 infections—testing positive, then negative, then positive again—among people taking the antiviral Paxlovid have started to mount. Which raises the question: what’s the likelihood of a similar rebound if you don’t take Paxlovid? That’s what a new study set out to understand. It’s not the definitive answer about how much rebound is associated with a course of Paxlovid treatment—which involves taking pills over five days—but it offers some useful insight for those making the decision of whether or not to take the drug. Here’s what the study found: Among people who received a placebo in a large study of various COVID-19 medications, 3% reported rebound symptoms and higher virus levels within a month after their initial symptoms. That was similar to the rebound found among those who took Paxlovid in a separate study Pfizer conducted in order to receive emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. The bottom line: Clinical trials show that Paxlovid offers 90% protection from hospitalization and death despite any viral rebound after treatment—but we need more research to determine for sure how often rebound occurs. READ MORE   Share the story

What else to read A War on Pediatric Care Is Putting Children at Risk By  Dr. Scott A. Rivkees Doctors should decide medical treatment for children, not politicians, writes Dr. Scott A. Rivkees. Read More » Column: No, You Shouldn't Be Afraid of Fungi By Giuliana Furci and Merlin Sheldrake We must ensure a healthy future with fungi, not fear it, write Giuliana Furci and Merlin Sheldrake. Read More » Stop Spending Money to Avoid Uncomfortable Emotions By Jenn Lim Happiness expert Jenn Lim on why we misunderstand the relationship between spending money on ourselves and our emotional wellbeing. Read More » How to Help Your Body Adjust to Cold Weather By Markham Heid What scientific research shows on the best ways to adapt to plummeting temperatures. (Originally published in 2019.) Read More » Why Older People Love Pickleball So Much By Holly Burns The sport is a low-impact way to get moving, plus an avenue to socialization. Read More »

ONE LAST READ The ~other~ Long COVID What did all that missed school during the COVID-19 pandemic do to kids and teens? It’s a question that’s been tossed around a lot, but rarely answered in as much research-based detail as it is in Bryan Walsh’s new feature in Vox. The answer, based on test scores and other data, unfortunately means a lot of work for the U.S. educational system. Read More »

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