'Paxlovid rebound' adds one more mystery to COVID-19 treatment

Paxlovid
Photo credit Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
By , KYW Newsradio and Audacy

We continue to learn more about COVID-19 as the weeks and months go by. A case in point related to the oral medication paxlovid.

The drug, which is prescribed for five days and recommended for at-risk individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, helps reduce symptoms — but there have been many reported cases of so-called “paxlovid rebound,” where people who complete the course of treatment and are feeling better and testing negative for the virus start to feel worse and can test positive again.

In fact, Dr. Anthony Fauci described a similar experience in his own battle with COVID-19. He had a second five-day series of paxlovid, which helped him feel better. Scientists are wondering: Should the paxlovid dose be longer? Or do certain people react differently to the virus?

The more we learn, the more questions come up.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images