Repeat COVID is riskier than first infection, study finds By Reuters

By Nancy Lapid

(Reuters) – The chance of demise, hospitalization and severe well being points from COVID-19 jumps considerably with reinfection in contrast with a primary bout with the virus, no matter vaccination standing, in line with a research printed on Thursday.

“Reinfection with COVID-19 will increase the chance of each acute outcomes and lengthy COVID,” mentioned Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly of Washington College Faculty of Drugs in St. Louis. “This was evident in unvaccinated, vaccinated and boosted individuals.”

The findings have been drawn from U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs knowledge collected from March 1, 2020 via April 6, 2022 on 443,588 sufferers with one SARS-CoV-2 an infection, 40,947 with two or extra infections, and 5.3 million noninfected people. Many of the research topics have been male.

Reinfected sufferers had a greater than doubled threat of demise and a greater than tripled threat of hospitalization in contrast with those that have been contaminated with COVID simply as soon as. In addition they had elevated dangers for issues with lungs, coronary heart, blood, kidneys, diabetes, psychological well being, bones and muscular tissues, and neurological issues, in line with a report printed in Nature Drugs.

“Even when one had prior an infection and was vaccinated – that means that they had double immunity from prior an infection plus vaccines – they’re nonetheless inclined to opposed outcomes upon reinfection,” Al-Aly, the research chief, mentioned.

Folks with repeat infections have been greater than thrice extra more likely to develop lung issues, thrice extra more likely to endure coronary heart circumstances and 60% extra more likely to expertise neurological issues than sufferers who had been contaminated solely as soon as, the research discovered. The upper dangers have been most pronounced within the first month after reinfection however have been nonetheless evident six months later.

The cumulative dangers and burdens of repeat an infection elevated with the variety of infections, even after accounting for variations in COVID-19 variants similar to Delta, Omicron and BA.5, the researchers mentioned.

“We had began seeing a variety of sufferers coming to the clinic with an air of invincibility,” Al-Aly informed Reuters. “They questioned, ‘Does getting a reinfection actually matter?’ The reply is sure, it completely does.”

Forward of the quick approaching vacation season with journey and indoor gatherings, “individuals must be conscious that reinfection is consequential and may take precautions,” he added.

“We’re not advising draconian measures, however perhaps if you happen to’re happening a airplane, put on a masks,” Al-Aly mentioned. “In case you’re in a grocery store, think about that the particular person close to you might have a weak immune system, and if you happen to put on a masks you may assist to guard them.”