At the moment, there is no known effective prophylaxis against Covid-19. The only way to avoid infection is to avoid exposure. Previously, an infusion called Evusheld was effective in preventing infections, but newer variants rendered that treatment (which was primarily for the immunocompromised) useless.
I see a role for prophylactic Paxlovid prescriptions: personally, I'm high risk, take one med that is a category D interaction--but easily managed--but would be concerned if I became ill that there could be barriers to obtaining a script. I have discussed my "Covid plan" with my PCP--but prior to the recommendation changing from requiring a positive test.
Nice analysis. Viral loads are important in determining whether an individual may infect others. However, living with an asymptomatic individual whose viral load is identical to a symptomatic individual (who is coughing), other things being equal, the symptomatic individual would be more likely to infect others.
Dr. Faust, regarding your ideas on how to improve the trials going forward you mentioned “Routine asymptomatic testing should be done (with rapid tests, or even better with PCR, though that’s less practical)”. PCR testing would be a very meaningful way to restructure these trials, and now your idea could be possible, since the fda just approved an at-home 30 minute PCR test called Lucira. It could be incorporated into future trial designs. https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/24/health/fda-flu-covid-test/index.html
Another great piece, though the science is above my pay grade! Thankful you are on it? I have a question about the COVID roadmap that Cidrap put out...will it get to the right people and more importantly will the House and Senate collaborate like the amazing scientists did and get something done?
Thank you Inside Medicine for the empirical observations on the prophylactic use of antivirals such as the widely available PAXLOVID. Is there any well designed research on the use of any antivirals for the treatment of "long covid"?
Covid antivirals not shown to decrease household spread. Here's why they still might work.
I see a role for prophylactic Paxlovid prescriptions: personally, I'm high risk, take one med that is a category D interaction--but easily managed--but would be concerned if I became ill that there could be barriers to obtaining a script. I have discussed my "Covid plan" with my PCP--but prior to the recommendation changing from requiring a positive test.
Nice analysis. Viral loads are important in determining whether an individual may infect others. However, living with an asymptomatic individual whose viral load is identical to a symptomatic individual (who is coughing), other things being equal, the symptomatic individual would be more likely to infect others.
Thank you so much Jan, very helpful for patient advocacy.
Dr. Faust, regarding your ideas on how to improve the trials going forward you mentioned “Routine asymptomatic testing should be done (with rapid tests, or even better with PCR, though that’s less practical)”. PCR testing would be a very meaningful way to restructure these trials, and now your idea could be possible, since the fda just approved an at-home 30 minute PCR test called Lucira. It could be incorporated into future trial designs. https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/24/health/fda-flu-covid-test/index.html
Another great piece, though the science is above my pay grade! Thankful you are on it? I have a question about the COVID roadmap that Cidrap put out...will it get to the right people and more importantly will the House and Senate collaborate like the amazing scientists did and get something done?
Thank you Inside Medicine for the empirical observations on the prophylactic use of antivirals such as the widely available PAXLOVID. Is there any well designed research on the use of any antivirals for the treatment of "long covid"?