Lancet : January 2026:SARS-CoV-2 infectious shedding and rebound among adults with and without oral antiviral use: two case-ascertained prospective household studies

This research examined how oral antiviral medications influence the duration of contagiousness and the frequency of viral rebound in patients with COVID-19. By monitoring nasal swabs from high-risk adults, the study found that while treatment initially leads to an earlier cessation of infectious shedding, it also significantly increases the likelihood of a temporary resurgence of the virus. Ultimately, the findings suggest that patients who take antivirals are more likely to experience culture rebound compared to those who do not, though the overall time spent being infectious remains similar between the two groups. This data provides a more nuanced understanding of viral dynamics, helping clinicians and patients better navigate the trade-offs involved in using these medications to manage severe illness.