CDC health advisory update on treating COVID-19 recurrence with antiviral pill

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 24 issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to update healthcare providers and the public on treating the potential for recurrence of COVID-19, also termed “COVID-19 rebound.”

According to the health advisory update, there is “currently no evidence that additional treatment is needed with Paxlovid or other anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapies in cases where COVID-19 rebound is suspected.”

“COVID-19 rebound has been reported to occur between 2 and 8 days after initial recovery and is characterized by a recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms or a new positive viral test after having tested negative,” the CDC noted. “A brief return of symptoms may be part of the natural history of SARS-CoV-2...infection in some persons, independent of treatment with Paxlovid and regardless of vaccination status.”

The CDC still recommends Paxlovid, the Pfizer COVID-19 antiviral pill, for “early-stage treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 among persons at high risk for progression to severe disease,” and emphasizes that mitigating risk of transmission still requires following guidance on isolation, masking, and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.