July 7, 2022 – People re-infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 have increased health risks with each round of re-infection, a large national database study reveals.
The researchers saw worse health effects during an active infection, but some symptoms lasted up to 6 months, suggesting a direct link between re-infection and long-term COVID.
“Re-infection increases or contributes additional health risks. It is not totally benign, and people should try to avoid being re-infected,” says study lead author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD.
The risks remained whether people were completely vaccinated or not. In some cases, people may have been infected earlier with the Delta strain and are now exposed to Omicron or its subvariant, BA.5, which may be better at evading vaccine protection, he says.
“It is also possible that the first infection may have weakened some organ systems and made people more vulnerable to health risks when they catch a second or third infection,” adds Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at the University. of Washington and head of research and development at VA St. Louis Health Care System. “There are a lot of variables in the game, but it’s clear that reinforcements contribute additional risks and should be avoided.”
Al-Aly and colleagues compared 257,427 people with the first COVID-19 virus infection with a group of 38,926 people who had a second infection or later, and then with 5.4 million people who never had were infected. The information for the study came from veterans in a Department of Veterans Affairs health care database.
The results were published online on June 17 as a pre-print study, meaning it has not yet been peer-reviewed, a key step in helping to evaluate and validate clinical research. The study is under review from the journal Nature Portfolio.
Three COVID-19 experts who were not involved in the research raised a few warnings, including how a veterans ’study may or may not apply to the general population.
“It’s the first study to characterize the risks of re-infection,” says Eric Topol, MD.
Points out that the second infection, compared to the first, was associated with twice the rate of deaths from any cause, as well as twice the risk of heart or lung problems. .
The extra risks also grew with each infection, says Topol, executive vice president of Scripps Research and chief editor for Medscape, WebMD’s sister site for healthcare professionals.
“Obviously these findings are worrisome since re-infection was quite rare before it hit Omicron waves, by 1% or less through the Delta variant wave. But now reinfections have become much more common,” he says.
Higher Risks, Especially for Some
The study was “well done,” says Ali Mokdad, PhD, when asked to comment. Al-Aly and colleagues “have access to good data, and have done several studies.”
He says the extra risks are more likely among the elderly, immunocompromised, and people with other medical conditions.
“It makes sense, and let me explain why,” Mokdad says. “When you have someone who first took COVID-19 and was affected by it, maybe someone who was older or had a chronic condition, the next hit would be. It also causes more damage.”
“That’s why you would expect some people to be more likely to have a second infection more difficult,” says Mokdad, an assistant professor of epidemiology and a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. .
“The best thing for you and the general public – healthy or not, chronic condition or not – is not to get infected,” he says. “Go get your vaccines and boosters, and wear a mask when you’re in a crowded place and can’t keep a safe distance.”
Different Veterans Risk Factors?
“When you look at that study, the big warning is that veterans don’t resemble the general population,” says Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Safety at the School of Health. Bloomberg Public Health in Baltimore.
“I don’t think you can generalize [the study] to everyone, but really to people who have risk factors for severe illness,” he says, because veterans tend to be older and have more health conditions.
He says many people who become infected again are testing positive at home. As a result, their cases do not make it into research. In contrast, the veterans in the study were “people who for whatever reason wanted to take a formal test.”
As the virus has shifted away from vaccines, shots can still protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death, but they are less able to protect against infection, says Adalja. “That’s also the case with previous immunity. If you were someone infected with BA.1 or Delta, for example, your ability to remove the new variants, BA.4 and BA.5, you can it is not very high. “
The study shows why “it’s important to stay up to date with your vaccines,” he says, “and why we need to get better vaccines that are targeted at variants currently in circulation.”
Despite these warnings, says Adalja, the researchers used a “robust database” and a large study population, which “gives us all confidence in the strength of the finding.”
It was not known whether re-infection would contribute to an increased risk of long-term COVID, so researcher Al-Aly and colleagues followed the veterans over 6 months. They compared people who had one, two, three or more infections with the uninfected group.
Among those with re-infection, about 13% had two infections, 0.76% had three infections, and .08%, or 246, people had four or more infections.
Compared to veterans with the first coronavirus infection, those who got a re-infection had more than twice the risk of dying from any cause.
Even though “the mechanisms supporting the increased risks of death and adverse health outcomes in re-infection are not entirely clear,” the authors say, “the findings highlight the consequences of human infection. and emphasize the importance of preventing SARS-CoV-2 re-infection, “the virus that causes COVID-19.
Asked about the next step in their research, Al-Aly said, “BA.5 seems to be the next major challenge, and we are focused on trying to understand it better.”
The “Three C’s” are a useful way to think about this. Describe settings where COVID-19 virus transmission spreads more easily: • Crowded places • Close contact settings, especially where people have very close conversations • Restricted and enclosed spaces with ventilation bad.
What is a healthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Every day, eat a mixture of whole grains such as wheat, corn and rice, legumes such as lentils and beans, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, with some foods from animal sources (eg meat, fish, eggs and milk). • Choose whole foods. Read also : Politics meets Santa Fe Pride rally | Home Affairs | santafenewmexican.com. such as raw corn, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice when you can; they are rich in valuable fiber and can help you feel fuller for longer • For snacks, choose raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and unsalted nuts.
What are the guidelines for proper nutrition during quarantine of COVID-19? For best health, it is also important to remember to eat healthy and stay hydrated. The WHO recommends drinking water instead of sugary sweet drinks. Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages for adults and strictly avoid these in young, and pregnant and lactating women, or for other health reasons. Ensure plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limit your intake of salt, sugar and fat. Prefer whole grains over refined foods. For more guidance on how to eat healthily during self-quarantine, please see the Food and Nutrition Aids during self-quarantine, prepared by WHO / Europe.
What not to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Avoid foods high in salt and sugar. Limit the number of soft drinks and other sugary drinks. Instead of sweet snacks like cookies, cake, and candy, choose fresh fruit.
What are some appropriate vegetables to help the immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Boost from Nutrients Vitamin C: kiwi fruit, red pepper, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, lam, grapefruit), pineapple, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach. To see also : Food safety actions are key to building trust, Yiannas says. Beta Carotene: sweet potatoes, carrots, yellow / orange squash, dark green leafy vegetables.
How common is Paxlovid rebound?
Mayo Clinic researchers reported today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases that less than 1% of high-risk patients experiencing severe COVID-19 who were treated with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) experienced a second bout of ‘COVID-19. On the same subject : Loyola names Barry Rosen as Business Leader of the Year – Newsroom.
Is it possible to become infected again after recovering from COVID-19? After recovering from COVID-19, most individuals will have some protection from repeated infections. However, re-infections occur after COVID-19. We are still learning more about these reinfections.
How long does COVID-19 rebound usually last?
How long will a rebound last? In the cases described, rebound symptoms improved and / or positive tests became negative within 3 days for most people.
Can COVID-19 symptoms rebound after using Paxlovid?
A study finds few COVID-19 patients who have rebound symptoms after Paxlovid treatment.
What can I do on a daily basis to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Keep to your regular routines as much as possible and keep a daily schedule for yourself including sleep, meals and activities. Stay socially connected. Talk to loved ones and people you trust every day or as much as possible, using the phone, making video calls or texting, writing letters, and so on. Use this time to share your feelings and to do common hobbies together. Be physically active every day. Reduce long periods of sitting and set up a daily routine that includes at least 30 minutes of exercise. Make sure you do activities that are safe and appropriate for your level of physical health as directed by your healthcare provider. You can use homework as a way to stay physically active, take an online class (eg Tai Chi, yoga) or choose your favorite music and dance to it.
How do I stay active in and around the home during the COVID-19 pandemic? Try to reduce the long periods of sitting time, whether for work, studying, watching TV, reading, or using social media or playing games using screens. Reduce sitting for long periods by taking short breaks of 3-5 minutes every 20-30 minutes.
What are the best practices to help prevent the COVID-19?
Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Use a hand sanitizer when it is not close to soap and water. Try not to touch your face. Wear a face mask when you get out. Follow your community guidelines for staying home. When going out in public, leave at least 6 feet of space between you and others.
How to eat healthy in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Consume enough fiber as it contributes to a healthy digestive system and offers a long-lasting feeling of fullness, which helps prevent overeating. To ensure adequate fiber intake, aim to include vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole foods in all meals. Whole grain foods include oats, brown pasta and rice, quinoa and whole wheat bread and wraps, rather than refined wheat foods such as white pasta and rice, and white bread. Good hydration is crucial for optimal health. Whenever available and safe for consumption, tap water is the healthiest and cheapest drink. It is also the most sustainable, as it produces no waste, compared to bottled water.
What is a healthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic?
â € ¢ Every day, eat a mixture of whole grains such as wheat, corn and rice, legumes such as lentils and beans, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, with some foods from animal sources (eg meat, fish, eggs and milk) .â ¢ Choose whole foods such as raw corn, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice when you can; they are rich in valuable fiber and can help you feel fuller for longer.â € ¢ For snacks, choose raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and unsalted nuts.
