new โคStrategies Emerge as COVID-19 Evolves โคinto ‘COVID-25’
BOSTON – โAs โคthe virus that causes โCOVID-19 continues to circulate and evolve, healthcare professionals are preparing for a new phase of โคmanagement, dubbedโ ‘COVID-25,’ with emerging research and updated guidelines aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and mitigating the impact of respiratory season. While the virus remains a concern for all, renewed focus is being placed on proactiveโ strategies for immunocompromised individuals and aโ return โคto familiar preventative measures.
The ongoing evolution of โthe virusโค necessitates a continued search for effective prophylaxis and treatment options. Earlyโ research suggests a potential benefit from โnasal sprays in preventing โviral establishment on the respiratory mucosa, though Dr. Williamโ Schaffner emphasized the need for confirmation throughโข further studies. “These viruses implant on the respiratory mucosa,” he explained; “therefore, โa nasal spray โฃmay โkeep โthe virusโ off the mucosal surface preventing the virus from establishing itself. I think its very interesting.” This research underscores โขthe commitment of scientists to finding new tools โin the fightโ against the virus.
A critical componentโค of managing ‘COVID-25’ involves ensuring immunocompromised patients – including those with solid-organโ or stem cell transplants โฃ-โค are fully aware of their risks and have a pre-planned course of action. Dr.Scott Gottlieb stressed the importance of proactive communication, stating, “It isโฃ absolutely critical that patients with notable risk factors for progressionโฆknow that โthere are options for them-that they are informed ahead of time and โhave an action plan about what they can and cannot takeโ ifโ and when they turn positive.”
Clinicians will soon have access to updated guidance to support these efforts.The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) โwill release updated COVID-19 treatment and managementโค guidelines, to โคbe discussed by dr. โขRajesh Gandhiโ of Harvard Medicalโข Schoolโข and Dr. Arjun Bhimraj at IDWeek 2025 onโค octoberโ 22.
Beyond pharmaceutical interventions, โexperts are reinforcing theโค importance of nonpharmaceutical preventative measures. Dr. Schaffner โconcluded by โremindingโข theโ public to “dust off โคthose โmasks and remember the importance of hand hygiene andโข social distancing” as respiratory season approaches.
Disclosure: โขDr. Adalja โserves as a consultant to Invivyd and shionogi. Dr. Gottlieb reported grants or contracts to his institution โfrom AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly,โ Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, Kinevant Sciences, Pfizer, and Regeneron; participation on advisory boards and/or consulting with AbbVie, AstraZeneca, โคEli Lilly, Gilead, GSK Pharmaceuticals, Invivyd and Roche;โ honoraria forโข lectures from Gilead and Pfizer (the latter unrelated to infectious diseases); prior de minimis investment in AbCellera; and aโ gift in kind โto his institution from โGilead Sciences to facilitate anโค unrelated academic-sponsored clinical trial (NCT03383419). Drs. Bhimraj and Schaffner reported no relevant financial โฃdisclosures.
This articleโ isโ from the October 2025 print issue.