Paxlovid for healthy 19 year old?

[Anonymous]

DD is an RA this year, so we already moved her into her dorm. Move-in day for all the other students starts today so RAs were required to test Tuesday & Wednesday. DD tested positive yesterday and was sent by the RA advisor to campus health for an official test. The health center wrote her a prescription for Paxlovid and told her to start taking it ASAP. The pharmacy on campus didn't have any yesterday when she went and told her they had to get some transferred in so she could pick it up this morning.

I thought Paxlovid was reserved for those at a risk of complications from covid? DD is healthy and has no underlying conditions that would make her high risk. Our neighbor, who is in her late 50s, was given Paxlovid and it made her so sick. She had such severe diarrhea that she got dehydrated and had to be admitted to the hospital. Another friend experienced similar except he became dehydrated due to the extreme nausea from Paxlovid. He couldn't eat or drink and got dehydrated. He had to go to the ER for fluids but didn't get admitted.

Are they giving Paxlovid to everyone who tests positive now? DD has a call into her doctor to get their guidance but I'm wondering what others have experienced. DD said that the others on campus who have tested positive has also been given Paxlovid.

My wife and I are leaving with our other kids tomorrow for a vacation at a cabin. Cell reception can be iffy in that area. I'm worried she'll get sick from the Paxlovid and we'll be unreachable. Right now she said she feels fine. No fever, no fatigue, no sore throat.

Am I crazy in thinking she should just skip it?

[Anonymous]

The university may be trying to nip outbreaks in the bud. I think your DD is probably fine either way.

[Anonymous]

At 19 if she's feeling okay, there is no reason she needs to take it. If she develops severe symptoms, it might help. Anecdotally, I took it and the only side effect was the bad taste in my mouth.

[Anonymous]

My fairly healthy 40ish year old relative took Paxlovid and was fine. No side effects, it made him feel better for a few days and then the disease came back (like Biden), but on the whole it was helpful. I think your kid will be fine either way, but why not take it if she has it.

[Anonymous]

What? No. Totally not indicated at all.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't given the rebound issues.

[Anonymous]

I would make sure she has access to someone or go get her. But, I would not take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My fairly healthy 40ish year old relative took Paxlovid and was fine. No side effects, it made him feel better for a few days and then the disease came back (like Biden), but on the whole it was helpful. I think your kid will be fine either way, but why not take it if she has it.

God I hate responses like this. You have NO idea how he would have fared without it. So you just can't say either way.

[Anonymous]

I will speak to her primary care physician.

[Anonymous]

I would not take it.

[Anonymous]

Is she in the South/Midwest?

[Anonymous]

I would not have her take it...but I would set her up with who to call in the unlikely event she gets sicker from Covid (Drs office, family member etc) while you are away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will speak to her primary care physician.

I just got off the phone with my DD. Her doctor told her she's fine with her opting not to take it given her age, health history, and the fact that she's not experiencing any symptoms. Her doc was surprised they were seemingly handing it out to those who tested positive but said it was fine for those not medically vulnerable to also take.

DD knows to contact her aunt (in the same state as her, but around 2 hours away) if she starts feeling worse. I told her I'd make a point of going from the cabin to the small town where I get 1-2 bars each afternoon to check messages and try to call.

[Anonymous]

NO

[Anonymous]

I got horrible rebound, so NO