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After almost three years out from the first reports of long haul covid, now known as Post Covid Condition (PCC), research on prevention and treatment are finally starting to roll out. One notable study was published just a few days ago by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
In this study, researchers looked at more than 280,000 cases of SARS COV-2 infections to see if the use of nirmatrelvir, also known as Paxlovid, made a difference on the development of 13 PCC symptoms.
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help keep high-risk patients who become infected with SARS COV-2 from getting so sick that they need to be hospitalized. People who test positive for COVID and are eligible to take the pills, take Paxlovid within five days of developing symptoms at home to lower their risk of going to the hospital.
Researchers of the study found that treatment with Paxlovid decreased the risk of 10 out of 13 PCC symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, and dysautonomia. This improvement was found in both unvaccinated and vaccinated patients.
This is an exciting finding because the best way to deal with PCC is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. No study is perfect, and this research has its own limitations. For example, all the data comes from the Veteran Affairs hospital system and the findings may not be the same for the general population. In addition, the study used electronic medical record data, and this is not always accurate. For example, just because a patient is prescribed Paxlovid does not mean that a patient actually used the medication.
It is important to note this study looked only at patients that had at least 1 risk factor for severe acute covid. This makes sense, as Paxlovid should only be used for patients that have increased risk of severe illness. In addition, only use of Paxlovid within five days of a positive test for COVID was studied. The findings don’t apply to Paxlovid later in the infection course or after PCC has started.
The most important take away is that you have a COVID infection, and you are at risk for a severe illness, don’t wait to discuss care options with your primary care provider. It may make a difference in the long haul.
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If you then had paxlovid rebound what does Mayo think about taking an additional 5 days of paxlovid? After paxlovid and rebound I still have post covid symptoms of gastro, fatigue and brain fog, thanks.
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2 ReactionsDo we need to be concerned about the potential for liver and kidney damage due to taking Paxlovid?
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1 ReactionHi, I took Paxlovid recently and am/was concerned about kidney and liver damage. I hope and pray that all of my organs are still ok and functioning well. That being said, I did decide to take liver and kidney tinctures to help support these organs…I believe this has helped me. My stool color has just come back to normal today and my stomach is growling again and my gastro system seems to be up and running again. I think I had some long Covid symptoms over these last 3 years (fatigue, shortness of breath and gastro problems, also autonomic problems), but the Paxlovid seemed to remove most of those old long Covid symptoms. I just tested positive again on August 3, 2023. I still have a little shortness of breath and I take homeopathic allergy medicine and tinctures to help my lungs and for breath support. I am going to a pulmonologist as well as going to do a sleep study in the near future. My oxygen levels can drop below 95% at night and occasionally during the day, although I’m not sure how accurate my Apple Watch ⌚️ oxygen levels are. Hope this helps someone out there!! Let’s beat this! It’s tough, though! Best, Mia
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11 ReactionsI have initiated an N95 mask policy at my house.
If you work in public, you wear a mask at home.
My two adult children have a contraption under their door that stops their bedroom air circulating through the house.
I will be damned if I get Covid again!!
I appreciate the study and information, but like all things while it may reduce your chances to develop LC, it’s no guarantee. I had my second infection in early Feb of third year while traveling. I was hospitalized after first infection (Delta) in August of 2022 and was given remdesivir. On latest bout, I began paxlovid on day 2. Recovered and was home a week later. LC hit me hard in early March and dealing mostly with severe fatigue, paraesthesia (pins and needles) and some brain fog.
Me too.
My husband and myself got covid again for the third time. He got sob, his AFib became unstable again. He became hospitalized and back in nursing home for strengethening. However his heart rate is still unstable. He got cardioverted but it didn't work. He is on another heart medication and will be getting cardioverted again. I hope he recovers from this.
I went to ER and went home on pacxovid. I was a week in bed, had sob again but was better.
I’m sorry your husband is having worse issues. I’m glad you got better. This virus is so odd and different for all individuals. I never lost my taste or smell. My doctor says I have more symptoms than any of his patients. I never heart palpitations until year later Which followed by the feeling of crushing ribs. Now I don’t get them together but separate. But more of the burning crushing rib filling. I’m only 47. I hope my heart is OK. And I hope Your husband gets home to you soon and healthy