Is it possible to get COVID-19 twice? If so, how often can you fall sick with it?
If falling sick with COVID-19 once was not painful enough, many people worldwide are coming down with the virus twice or more. In the early days of the pandemic, people rarely were infected more than once. However, The Omicron variant, which started making rounds in late November 2021, has turned the situation around. In Singapore, there were more than 8,800 cases of COVID-19 reinfections in the span of five months.
In this Pacific Prime Singapore article, we will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, how harmful reinfections can get, and how often one can get the virus again.
Why are people catching COVID-19 again?
More and more people are catching the coronavirus because of the Omicron variant. The variant is good at bypassing the human body’s defense system that was built on exposure to older and different variants. However, getting sick with the virus twice in a short time is unlikely, despite the prevalence of the latest Omicron variant.
What are the odds of catching COVID-19 twice?
As the virus gets stronger and natural immunity fades, the chances of getting COVID-19 again increase. According to a UK study, the risk of reinfection is around ten times higher in the period when the Omicron variant was the most prevalent compared to the Delta variant period.
Professor Leo Yee Sin, the executive director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), said, “It is imperative to stress that having had COVID-19 does not make one immune to Sars-CoV-2 forever”.
Can you fall sick with the coronavirus after two doses of the vaccine?
Note that the new variant has not changed the fundamental usefulness of the vaccines. Most people who have been double or triple vaccinated will not face severe symptoms where they would require medical care. Additionally, a booster dose helps decrease the chance of reinfection – but not by much.
Dr. Barnaby Young, head of the Singapore Infectious Disease Clinical Research Network at NCID, said: “Omicron variant can escape immunity among fully vaccinated individuals, taking Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty or Moderna as a booster shot helps increase the serum-neutralizing activity against Omicron by more than 50 percent by day seven post-booster”.
Further Reading: https://www.pacificprime.sg/blog/your-guide-to-covid-19-vaccination-and-moving-to-singapore/
How soon can you get COVID-19 reinfection?
Did you know that a woman in Spain tested positive for coronavirus three weeks apart? The healthcare worker had been infected by two variants – Delta in December and Omicron in January. However, it isn’t easy to get good data on how often early reinfections happen. The majority of second positive tests within a short time are longer-lasting infections than second infections.
How severe are the symptoms of COVID-19 reinfection?
Currently, the new Omicron BA.2 variant is not likely to send you to a hospital, and even if you test positive again, there is no reason to panic. Moreover, the protection provided by the vaccines or having had a previous COVID-19 infection, stops the virus from getting into your body and causing severe damage. However, COVID-19 can affect some people severely, especially those with a weakened immune system or have underlying health conditions.
Secure health insurance for yourself with Pacific Prime
We know that COVID-19 is here to stay, and you never know when you will come down with the virus. But securing health insurance for yourself can ensure financial security in your time of need. Given that Singapore has the third most expensive insurance premiums in the world, it is a smart idea to get in touch with a Pacific Prime insurance expert to understand your options.
With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and a robust global presence, Pacific Prime Singapore will help you find the best health insurance plan for you and your family.
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