Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Slightly off topic- could the rebound we see in Paxlovid be similar to quitting antibiotics early-> infection comes back -> antibiotic resistance & super bugs? Maybe they need to adjust the time one takes Paxlovid?
Never hear anyone discussing this so maybe I'm wrong, but I would avoid taking it unless I'm seriously ill for that reason alone.
That is an excellent question, and a lot of scientists are discussing it. We are not seeing resistance to Paxlovid or significant mutations of the viral genome during the rebound phenomenon, so that's good. No super bugs there. It is unclear whether the rebound is due to the natural progression of Covid itself, a course of Paxlovid that is too short, a direct effect of Paxlovid, or a combination. These are all being looked at as possibilities.
It is expected that the virus will eventually be resistant to Paxlovid due to evolutionary pressure, and we will have to develop other therapeutics. Hopefully this won't happen for some time.
One thing that is important to know: Paxlovid is a medication that works when taken EARLY in the course, before serious illness, to prevent that serious illness. If it is given too late it will not work, so it is entirely appropriate to take it in the 1st 5 days of illness if you qualify, even if your symptoms are very mild.