What to Know About COVID-19 Reinfection

Published: 08-01-2022 | 1 MIN READ | Author: Prism Health North Texas

Yes, you can get reinfected with COVID-19. We are closing in on the 3rd year of the COVID-19 pandemic and there’s still much that’s unknown about the virus. You unfortunately do not get immunity to it once you are infected. It is constantly mutating, and some people are already finding that they are getting reinfected.

For some people, the body does not fight off COVID-19 better after reinfection. Health risks can increase with reinfection, especially for the elder and immunocompromised.

Some studies have shown that some people with 2 or more cases of COVID-19 are more than twice as likely to die from it and more than three times more likely to be hospitalized.

Stroke and heart attacks are becoming increasingly common in patients that are suffering from reinfection.

These statistics do not stand for everyone. Some people experience shorter and lesser symptoms after reinfection. It all depends on what variant you have been reinfected with and how well your body is able to fight it off.

Even though vaccination and prior infection do not work as well for some in preventing COVID-19, doctors still encourage you to keep up with vaccinations to prevent severe symptoms.

A few current facts:

  • As of the beginning of July 2022, there have been over 88 million reported cases of COVID-19 in the U.S.
  • Texas has the second most reported cases, behind California and followed by Florida.
  • BA.5, as a subvariant of B.1.1.529 or Omicron, is responsible for most new cases of COVID-19 infection in the United States.
  • BA.5 is more infectious than Omicron and seems to escape anti-bodies more easily than other variants.
  • The most common beginning symptom of COVID-19 is a sore throat.

How can I recover from COVID-19 faster?

Over-the-counter drugs can help the cold and flu symptoms some people experience when infected with COVID-19.

Symptoms can be treated the same as any other illness:

  • hot tea
  • bland soup
  • toast
  • avocado
  • Vicks VapoRub
  • Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, and Motrin

All of these can be helpful with certain symptoms.

Experimental therapies and antiviral pills may be open to you if you are at a particularly high risk (elderly, obese, immunocompromised, diabetes, etc.) of severe symptoms.

Please make quarantining and testing your main concern when infected or reinfected with COVID-19 to lower the chance of spreading it to others.

 

Sources:

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count

What doctors wish patients knew about the BA.2 Omicron subvariant

COVID: Study reveals the long-term dangers of reinfection

How to Recover From COVID-19 at Home

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Author: Prism Health North Texas

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