We are seeing more people getting COVID-19 a second, third or fourth time. Often it is months between infections, butsome peoplecan catch it againwithina fewweeks.The likelihood of this occurring depends ontwofactors:how your immune system responds to the infection;and what variants are spreading locally.
For most people,theinfection generates animmune response that laststhree to 12months. After that, some people are more likely tobe infected again, unless immunity is boostedwithvaccination.The reason that some peoplecatch itagainwithina fewweeksis downto localvirus transmission.
Duringthe pandemic,somecommunities have had two or more variants spreading(like Delta and Omicron), withimmunity from one not protecting fromthe other. Somepeoplewerere-infected in less than 90 days,withone person catching it again after23 days.
This is why COVID precautions are so important, even after being infected or vaccinated.
Read more:
- Cost of living: Could cold homes make us ill?
- Why do some people experience more vaccine side effects than others?
- How can I protect myself from the coronavirus when Christmas shopping?
- Is it possible to have the flu and a cold at the same time?
Asked by: Bella Jacobs, Salisbury
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