IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT that I’m a sports reporter. That’s a big ask since I’ve never written a sports story—unless you consider a feature on now WCCO TV sports director Mike Max a sports story. I interviewed Mike, 14, and his brother Marc, 9, in 1979 about their baseball card collection, which numbered in the thousands.
I digress. Today I want to focus on basketball, a game I mostly understand.
Imagine a team driving the ball down the court. Dribbling and passing. Closing in on the basket, a player shoots, but misses. The ball bounces off the backboard into the hands of a teammate. He then shoots and scores to win the game. The player, who’s just come off the bench after recovering from an illness, is suddenly surrounded by cheering fans. All because he caught the rebound.
This recounting is totally fictitious. There was no game. But there was a rebound. Mine. I am currently in the midst of COVID rebound, meaning I have COVID again. Within a week of symptoms abating and testing negative for COVID, I’ve developed symptoms and once again tested positive for the virus.
What are the odds? Some sources say one in five can experience COVID rebound.
So here I am, back in isolation, my body fighting the coronavirus. My symptoms this time are different. This rebound bout started with feeling congested coupled with sneezing, lots of sneezing. Sneezes so strong they could flatten a building. I’m also tired. Symptoms of my initial infection were post nasal drip, sore throat and severe coughing. I took the antiviral Paxlovid, which quickly killed the coughing and, I’m convinced, kept me (along with the vaccine) from getting sicker. I would take Palovid all over again. And, no, the antiviral did not contribute to my rebound case, based on the research I’ve done.
Why did I catch the rebound? Who knows? I’m no athlete. Never have been, never will be.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
wow. unbelievable. You will be glad when this season is over I know. . Take care. prayers kathyg
Unbelievable is right, Kathy. I’m just thankful I’m not severely ill. But sad that I’ve missed Christmas and New Year’s gatherings. My goal is to be well by the time my new grandson arrives, which could be anytime between now and mid-January. I appreciate your prayers.
yes great goal. Praying for that!!!
How neat you interviewed Maxy as a little boy! I’m so sorry to hear you have rebound covid. May you have all happy, healthy days in 2025 so you don’t miss one precious moment with loved ones!
Thank you. Rose.
Hope you get well soon…and stay well for the rest of the winter!
Thanks, Valerie. I am feeling much better. Yes, I need to stay healthy.
I’m so sorry to heart this, I had it for my second time this past summer, (after having it 2 summers ago), and this time was not as bad, but still had most of the symptoms. I’m glad that the medication at least helped with your cough. I recently had yet another booster, but my doc has said it will probably always be around, like another flu. rest up and take good care.
I’m doing much better, Beth. I really was not all that ill, considering. That all said, because of my long haul COVID, I do have extra concerns about how the virus affects me long-term. When I was in the worst of my long haul COVID in 2023, my primary care doctor told me never to get COVID again. Ha. I am thankful for vaccines and antiviral meds.
yes, to all of that –
Our oldest and best friends both caught COVID and then, two weeks later, both caught it again. But their symptoms weren’t, fortunately, as harsh as yours. Still, rebound is real. I sincerely hope that you recover soon so you’re ready for the arrival of your new grandson. 😊
Thank you. My symptoms were not all that bad considering what they could have been. My concern is always with my long haul COVID and how a new case may cause those symptoms to flare. I’m sorry your dear friends also experienced rebound COVID. It’s definitely real.
I am so sorry to hear you are dealing with a rebound – poo and then some. Take it easy (((((sending healing vibes your way)))))
Your reaction of “poo” seems fitting. That word choice made me laugh. I’m feeling much better. Thank you for caring.
Bummer! All I can say is get well soon and I hope this is your last go-round with that damned virus.
Thanks, Chris. I hope so, too. I’m ready to be done with COVID and any other illness.
Oh no! Sorry to hear this Audrey. I hope you recover quickly!
I finally tested negative today. Oh, happy day! I hope this is the end of illness for me. I missed celebrating my grandson’s birthday, but will celebrate this weekend hopefully. Mostly I need to stay healthy so I can see my new grandson when he is born.
I pray you’re still able to be going in a healthy direction after several setbacks. I’d not heard about a “rebound”. Maybe this will bring a little smile to greet the newborn soon! For sure prayers all goes well there!
Thank you, Sandra. I join President Biden in many others in getting rebound COVID. (He had it quite some time ago). It’s real. I tested negative today and fully intend to minimize my time among others so I stay healthy for the arrival of the new baby, soon.
Shoot–I am so sorry! It is going around here as well and one of my friends who traveled to Budapest and beyond before the holidays and did NOT get sick now has it after friends visited. Ugh. Hope you rebound to healthy very soon.
I’m sorry your friend got COVID from her friends, especially after all that travel. I have no idea where I picked mine up, although I can guess. I tested negative today. My goal is to stay healthy now so I can see the new grandson when he is born.
Great goal!
I think so, especially after missing Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and then Isaac’s sixth birthday.
Oh no, Praying you are recovering well
I am. Thank you. And I pray the same for you.