The COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for more than two years. During that period, many people were alternately infected with COVID-19. Some show only mild symptoms, but many require hospitalization as well because of their deteriorating condition.
“Can I get infected more than once?” is one of the questions often asked by patients who have just recovered from COVID-19. Here are some things you should know about reinfection or reinfection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that we can be more cautious and alert to the risks.
Can a person be infected with COVID-19 more than once?
The answer is yes. A person infected with COVID-19 will develop immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but its nature is not perfect or cannot prevent reinfection. Over time, this immunity weakens, making it more susceptible to reinfection, especially infections from other viral variants, such as delta or omicron.
The good news is that someone who has had the omicron variant of COVID-19 twice or more tends to develop only mild symptoms with subsequent infections.
How quickly can reinfection occur?
In general, the risk of reinfection is 2-3 months minimum after recovery from the first COVID-19 infection. However, there is no specific time limit that can be used as a benchmark, as it is affected by the level of a person's immunity to the virus, whether acquired through previous infections or vaccinations.
People with poor immunity can be re-infected in a shorter amount of time. Therefore, vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 infection as it will provide more consistent and stronger immunity. The antibodies naturally formed by a COVID-19 infection are not as good and strong as the antibodies formed by vaccination.
Who is at risk of reinfection?
People who have not been vaccinated have a high chance of becoming infected with COVID more than once. Much data have proven that vaccination can protect us from the risk of reinfection and reduce the risk of serious complications to the risk of death. Another group of people prone to reinfection is those with compromised immune systems, either due to a medical condition or treatment for certain diseases, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
What to do if you become infected with COVID-19 again?
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms that occur. If you are not feeling any severe symptoms and are still able to perform normal activities, then self-isolation is the only step to take. According to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), self-isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days and can end self-isolation after being fever-free for the past 24 hours.
However, if you are experiencing severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to determine the next step, the sooner the better.
Although the current number of cases has decreased drastically, we should not underestimate this disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Complete vaccination according to government recommendations, namely basic vaccination (first and second dose) and booster (third dose). Continue to wear masks in public and closed places, especially if you have a cough, or flu, or are feeling unwell.
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Sources:
Dwyer, K & Lam, J. (2022). Can You Get COVID Twice—And What Should You Do If You Are Reinfected? Women's Health. [online]. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a31680268/can-you-get-coronavirus-twice/