COVID-19 reinfection poses a greater threat than the primary infection, in line with a recent study. 

Researchers found that the risks of death, hospitalization and serious health issues are greater when one is reinfected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

“Reinfection with COVID-19 increases the danger of each acute outcomes and long COVID,” Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said, as per VOA. 

In his recent study along with his colleagues, Al-Aly pursued to seek out out whether reinfection adds to risks incurred after the primary infection. They found that while the risks were most pronounced within the acute phase, they continued within the post-acute phase. 

Based on the variety of infections, cumulative risks and burdens of repeat infection increased, suggesting that the risks of death, hospitalization and serious health problems were greater in reinfections. 

Al-Aly noted that the risks were evident in “unvaccinated, vaccinated, and boosted people.” Thus, no matter vaccination, everyone seems to be at greater risk when reinfected. 

For the study, the lead researcher, Al-Aly, and his colleagues examined U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data from March 1, 2020, through April 6, 2022. 

Data from 443,588 patients with one COVID-19-reported infection and 40,947 patients with two or more reinfections were collected. Data from 5.3 million uninfected individuals were also used for the study. 

“Even when one had prior infection and was vaccinated — meaning they’d double immunity from prior infection plus vaccines — they’re still liable to antagonistic outcomes upon reinfection,” Al-Aly explained. 

Resulting from their findings published in Nature Medicine, the team urged the medical community to provide you with strategies for reinfection prevention to scale back the general burden of death and severe disease resulting from the virus. 

Ahead of the vacation season, when many individuals could be traveling and attending indoor gatherings, Al-Aly said everyone should concentrate on the intense repercussions of reinfections to avoid repeated transmissions. 

The precautionary measures are still similar to when the pandemic began. Al-Aly just desired to remind everyone that it’s best to mask up when traveling and staying indoors with other people.