What is the ‘Paxlovid Rebound’? CDC Warns About COVID-19 Recurrence Following Antiviral Cure

Patients who took Pfizer’s Paxlovid, an antiviral medication used to stop severe COVID-19 illness, have experienced a reoccurrence of their symptoms within days.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), May 24, issued a Health Advisory to warn health care professionals, patients and public health divisions about the possibility of a “COVID-19” rebound, also known as the “Paxlovid rebound.” However, it maintains that a cure is still necessary for many people with the virus.

The statement said that Paxlovid “continues to be suggested as a primary stage treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 among peoples at high risk of developing severe diseases.” The statement also stated that persons who experience a rebound of COVID-19 following Paxlovid treatment “have been mildly ill”, and no reports have been made about severe illness.

Here are some facts about COVID-19 reoccurrence after Paxlovid cure:

Explained: COVID-19 Rebound

Paxlovid, an antiviral medication, is used to cure COVID-19. It’s prescribed for persons with mild-to-moderate illness or at high risk of developing severe diseases. Three pills should be taken simultaneously for 5 days.

The CDC defines a COVID-19 rebound as a reoccurrence or recent positive viral test after previously testing negative. It occurs within 2-8 days of stopping Paxlovid and recovery. It can happen in any case if you are vaccinated.

“Relapse symptoms can be similar to, or slightly worse than their original symptoms. It is a return, Prasanna Jagannathan MD at Stanford University said to Health. She said, “People feel good and then they feel worse.”

Rebound symptoms of COVID-19

The CDC stated that COVID-19 symptoms may recur after the Paxlovid cure. They are usually mild and disappear in three days.

In a new preprint case statement, researchers described the COVID-19 relapse indications of 8 non-immunocompromised people ages 31-71. COVID-19 relapse usually occurs between days 9 and 12.

Six of eight patients experienced relapse symptoms that were less severe than their early COVID-19 indications. Experts believe this is typical for COVID-19 rebound cases.

What to Do During a COVID-19 Rebound

The CDC states that there is no proof to suggest an additional cure for a COVID-19 reoccurrence. However, the symptoms are short-lasting and self-limiting.

Dr. Venkatesh stated that a single course of cure is sufficient to achieve the desired effect, which is to reduce your risk of serious COVID-19-related hospitalizations or deaths. Although some researchers are exploring the possibility of extending Paxlovid courses to be more effective, the CDC says there is no evidence that this would be beneficial.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 rebounds need to restart their isolation periods if their symptoms recur. This guidance is based upon a preliminary case report that found one patient who was symptomatic and one who was pre-symptomatic with relapsing COVID-19 transmission to their family members.