Effectiveness of Paxlovid Treatment
On May 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted the public to the potential for recurrence of COVID-19 among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease. Paxlovid treatment helps to prevent hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. COVID-19 rebound has been reported to occur between 2 and 8 days after initial recovery and is characterized by recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms and/or a new positive viral test after having tested negative. Case reports suggest that persons treated who experienced rebound have had mild illness and to date there have been no reports of serious disease. There is no evidence at present to indicate that additional treatment with Paxlovid is indicated if rebound is suspected. Paxlovid remains the treatment of choice for persons at high risk for COVID-19 progression to severe disease.
Who is at high risk for COVID-19?
Age: The risk for severe infection, hospitalization and death increases for people in their 50s and is highest among people 85 years of age and older.
Certain Conditions: People with these conditions are more likely to suffer from severe illness:
-Cancer
-Chronic liver, kidney, or lung disease
-Cystic fibrosis
-Dementia or other neurological conditions
-Stroke/cerebrovascular disease
-Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
-Heart conditions
-Tuberculosis, HIV infection
-Immunocompromised or weakened immune system
-Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
-Mental health conditions – including depression and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
-Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity
-Pregnancy
-Sickle cell disease/ thalassemia
-Smoking- current or former
-Substance use disorders
-Certain disabilities
-Those affected by systemic health and social inequities
-Living in congregate settings
Actions you can take - It is importatnt to protect yourself and others by taking preventive measures against Covid 19. Layered prevention strategies, those that work at different points of protection, can help limit severe disease and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcase system.
-Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines
-Wear a well-fitting mask, preferably N95 or KN95
-Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
-Test to prevent the spread to others
-Wash your hands often
-Cover coughs and sneezes
-Monitor your health daily
Long Covid or Post Covid Conditions
Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions (PCC) or long COVID.
-Post-COVID conditions can include a wide range of ongoing health problems which can last weeks to months, or perhaps longer.
-Symptoms may include fatigue, fever and feelings of malaise after exertion as well as a variety of symptoms affecting the heart, lungs, nerves and brain, mood, skin and muscles and joints.
-13% of people with COVID-19 infections, even with mild or no symptoms, go on to experience symptoms that last longer than a month. 30% of people with COVID-19 infections requiring hospitalization experience symptoms lasting more than 6 months.
-People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected may also be at higher risk of developing post-COVID conditions compared to people who were vaccinated and had breakthrough infections.
-There is no single test for post-COVID conditions. While most people with post-COVID conditions have evidence of infection or COVID-19 illness, in some cases, a person with post-COVID conditions may not have tested positive for the virus or known they were infected.
For more information: Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC
