Tomorrow’s Health: ‘Paxlovid rebound,’ COVID protection & vaping

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - Young people are more likely to vape than smoke cigarettes and getting vaccinated and having a prior infection offer the best protection against COVID.

‘Paxlovid rebound’

A resurgence of symptoms after taking the COVID anti-viral drug Paxlovid appears to be much more common than originally expected.

A new study finds one in five patients who take the drug experience “Paxlovid rebound,” which means after recovering and having a negative test, they experience rebound COVID and could be contagious for longer.

Researchers stress that Paxlovid is still an important and effective way to reduce death and hospitalizations from COVID.

COVID protection

A new study reinforces the effectiveness of getting vaccinated even if you had COVID.

The CDC looked at 17,000 students ages 12 to 19 in Utah and found those who were both vaccinated and had recovered from a prior infection were better protected from reinfection than those who only had one or the other.

Researchers point out more research is needed on the impact of additional COVID boosters in children and adolescents.

Vaping

Researchers say for the first time that young people are more likely to vape than smoke traditional cigarettes.

That’s according to a new survey that shows 56% of vapers ages 18 to 24 say they’ve never smoked traditional cigarettes.

Experts warn that even though health problems associated with vaping are less extreme than smoking, it is not harm-free.

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