Some unfortunate individuals report experiencing the virus five or more times.
People who’ve had COVID-19 are facing the unsettling reality of multiple reinfections, even after receiving vaccinations
Dr. Grace McComsey, a clinical research expert, has encountered people who’ve had COVID-19 with as many as five infections, even though they were fully immunized. Reanna Sunford Clark, a daycare teacher from Portland, Oregon, has battled Covid six times, sparking concerns about a potential predisposition.
Clark’s subsequent infections were generally milder, resembling cold symptoms that resolved in a few days. She is one of five people who’ve had COVID-19 interviewed, all confirming their experiences with COVID-19 through various forms of verification. People who’ve had COVID-19 express confusion and curiosity about the frequency of their illnesses.
While reinfections are generally expected to be less severe, about 20-25% of cases may experience a more severe episode. Brenda Keele, a resident of Casper one of the people who’ve had COVID-19, in Wyoming, faced increasingly severe symptoms with each recurrence. She recently endured her most severe bout, marked by body aches and breathing difficulties.
Severe reinfections might occur if a considerable time has passed since the last COVID-19 shot or if there was exposure to a high viral load
Emily, a singer from Brooklyn one of people who’ve had COVID-19, noted that her symptoms tended to be worse after several months since her last vaccine dose. Her third infection, six months after her booster shot, was particularly debilitating.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified over 2.7 million COVID-19 reinfections from September 2021 to December 2022, but the exact prevalence remains unclear due to incomplete tracking. Experts believe recurring infections are not surprising given the widespread transmission and the virus’s ability to mutate, potentially evading immunity. Dr. Miriam Merad from Mount Sinai School of Medicine emphasizes the virus’s capacity to adapt, highlighting the challenge it poses.
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