![]() ![]() ![]() “We're seeing people whose antigen test stays positive for a week after they rebound, which means that they're well outside the CDC’s 10-day guidance. “We are sufficiently concerned about whether people can transmit, when they're on day 12 and 13 and 15, that we are essentially recommending that when people have a recurrence, a rebound, that they restart their isolation, and isolate until their antigen test is negative,” Charness said. MORE: Weekly pediatric COVID-19 infection rates see 1st increases since January Of critical importance in the investigations is whether an individual, in the midst of such a rebound, remains infectious, Charness said. Thus far, researchers know very little about the reason for the recurring symptoms. “I think the first step in studying something is to know that it exists,” he explained, adding that it is particularly important for clinicians to be informed about potential rebounds, and for the public to know, so that people do not become unduly alarmed. Reports uncommon but happening ‘frequently enough’Īlthough official reports of these relapses still appear to be rare, such occurrences are happening “frequently enough” in those treated with Paxlovid that Charness said that it should be studied further. “We remain very confident in its clinical effectiveness at preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19 in high-risk patients,” the representative said. MORE: Millions of COVID-19 shots set to go to waste, as vaccine rollout slowsĪ representative from Pfizer told ABC News that although it is too early to determine the cause, initial indications suggest an increased viral load is both uncommon and not uniquely associated with the Paxlovid treatment. The viral recurrence had been observed and reported in Pfizer’s application to the FDA, last year, in which the company said several trial participants had appeared to “have a rebound” of COVID-19 around day 10 or day 14. The FDA stressed that the reports “do not change the conclusions from the Paxlovid clinical trial which demonstrated a marked reduction in hospitalization and death.” “Anyone who is concerned about having been exposed or who for any other reason wants to determine their infection status should test for COVID-19.” “The phenomenon of recrudescence reiterates the importance of following CDC’s isolation guidance – anyone who develops symptoms of illness during or after isolation should remain isolated, masked, and seek out testing and clinical care,” a representative from the CDC told ABC News in a statement. Representatives from the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, told ABC News that teams of scientists are investigating the surprising relapse reports, and they will provide further recommendations, if appropriate. “I heard from people all over the country and some from other parts of the world, who had had the same experience.” “We just were very struck by that,” said Charness. MORE: Vice President Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19 In the U.S., use of the treatment has increased by nearly ten-fold in recent weeks. ![]() In additional analysis of the Paxlovid clinical trial data, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that most patients “did not have symptoms at the time of a positive PCR test after testing negative, and, most importantly, there was no increased occurrence of hospitalization or death or development of drug resistance.”Ĭompany executives also reported, this week, that the use of Paxlovid continues to expand rapidly, particularly as infection rates across the country rise again. Experts urge that the benefits of the drug, in preventing hospitalization and death, outweigh the potential risk of a second positive test or symptom reemergence. Pfizer says that it is taking the reported incidences of recurrence "very seriously," but that the rates mirror those who received a placebo in clinical trials. While it is largely unknown what is causing the reported viral resurgence, scientists say they are investigating. Martin's case is part of a seemingly rare, but increasingly reported phenomenon of COVID-19 symptom recurrence after being treated with Paxlovid. "This is like four days of much more significant symptoms than round one.” “It came roaring back, and this round two has been much more severe than round one was," Martin said.
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