Some health experts have questioned the length of Paxlovid courses, which is an FDA-approved pack of two drugs intended for people with high-risk for severe COVID-19, such as older populations and immunocompromised people. One microbiology and immunology Columbia University professor, David Ho, MD, told Time in August that “five days of treatment is not enough.”
Dr. Ho is currently studying the efficacy of extending Paxlovid to seven to 10 days.
The risk of rebounding symptoms have caught eyes over the last few months after National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci, MD, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, PhD, all experienced a positive COVID-19 test days after completing their Paxlovid course.
In a study of eight people who tested positive for COVID-19, six experienced rebounding symptoms after taking Paxlovid. But because the study found that a rebound is not related to an impaired immune response, the researchers concluded a longer course is not required to prevent a rebound case.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.