Anyone with extended long Covid get Covid again? Now what?

Seems it could push recovery back. Even getting COVID repeatedly can cause more issues than before. I have a bunch of links to various studies and reports, however this site won't let me post them since I'm a 'new' member. < sigh> I understand why but geez... I'll try again in a few days.

Everyone is different so hopefully your recovery will continue. Big hug, and so sorry you're going through this.

Here's a couple of snippets in the meantime, until I'm no longer 'new". Note that they say the symptoms worsen, but really don't mention by how much.

- from GAVI.org. "As many as 89% of respondents first got Long COVID after their first infection, compared with 10% after the second infection, and just 1% after the third infection. Overwhelmingly, reinfection worsened the symptoms of Long COVID in most people who were still symptomatic.

In those who still had Long COVID at the time of reinfection, 80% saw their symptoms worsen vs. 10% who saw their Long COVID symptoms improve. Around 85% saw old symptoms return or new additional symptoms vs. 10% who had a resolution or improvement of symptoms."

-From StatNews.com. "If you had long Covid before, upon reinfection there is a risk of worsening problems. You may have had brain fog and fatigue but not dysautonomia or other manifestations. Long Covid is a broad basket of conditions. Even if you’ve had it before, you’re also trying your luck again."

I had Covid again and used Paxlovid and the symptoms I had before did not get any worse or better for that matter stayed about the same.

Here is a link to the only study I have seen on this - not peer reviewed but found that for 60% long covid symptoms got worse with a reinfection.
https://www.longcovid.org/images/Documents/Reinfections_in_Long_Covid_Survey_Report_by_Long_Covid_Support_and_Long_Covid_Kids_080922.pdf

Thanks for the insights. My non-medical thought is that I have additional risk and I should take really good care of myself and see good doctors.

Hi..I had covid the first time 12/19/2021 and was diagnosed with Covid Long Haul in 2022 right after Covid round one. Well on 12/8/2023, I tested positive again. So here am I out of work again and home and the provider will not release me to go back to work as I still have a lot still in my chest, at least no pneumonia, I had a chest xray yesterday but still have this ongoing chest discomfort which is bothersome. The fatigue is still overwhelming and I tire so easy. But now I have another medical condition that was just diagnosed right before I got Covid again, Primary Hyperparathyroidism, which can cause fatigue and many other problems . I am so glad we have this site so we can communicate with each other. This is a lonely disease and so isolating, as you dont want to be around people because you fear picking something else up when your immune system is already comprimised and no one wants to be around you either. I am glad we have each other. Thanks Kitty2

Hi @genogenie, I noticed that you wished to post URLs to articles with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Allow me to post them for you:
- New survey suggests reinfection worsens Long COVID (Sept 2022) https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/new-survey-suggests-reinfection-worsens-long-covid
- Acute and postacute sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (Nov 2022) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02051-3
- How Bad Is a Second (or Third or Fourth) Case of Covid? (Aug 2023) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/well/live/covid-reinfection.html
- Does the risk of getting long Covid increase each time you get reinfected? (Sept 2023) https://www.statnews.com/2023/09/20/do-long-covid-odds-increase-with-second-infection/

I was on the floor struggling and confused Sunday after testing positive again. This is my last day of paxlovid. I can almost detect an energy and feeling I haven’t felt since my May 2022 infection. When this week’s nasal congestion clears and I get some solid sleep, I wonder how i will feel.
For me, paxlovid has really increased my hunger. I’m starved. I haven’t had an appetite for a year and lost 60 pounds without realizing. I’d just forget to eat.
Maybe getting paxlovid will put me in a better position than a month ago. Who know? One day at a time. Just sharing for those who are reinfected. Talk to your doc.

Had Covid 10/20/22 and long coved for 14 months. I was back to about 90 percent except for my lungs brain and heart but here we go again. Tested positive on Christmas Eve. On paxlovid again today. I have stage 3 copd it was stage 4 right after I got over the acute stage last go around. Not sure what’s in store this time but I’m telling everyone this thing is far from over. Protect yourselves.

My first covid diagnosis was January 2022. I was fully vaccinated with all available vaccines and boosters. Was out of town and went to the local urgent care. PA said even though you meet criteria for medication due to age, you are in relatively good health so i am not giving you a Rx. Muddled through that. Started having cardiac issues a few months later. I continued to get Covid boosters. Tested positive for Covid on December 24 2022. Called the on call number for my EnT. The doctor gave me a Paxlovid Rx. I was back to normal in less than 48 hours. December 26 this year started having drippy nose. I was out of town The runny nose contiwith sneezing during a 9 hour drive home on December 27. I started to develop headaches and eye pain. I had chills today with cough and headache. Did an at home Covid test that was positive. Went to see my Ent wjo told me they don’t do covid tests and treat it as a cold /sinus infection. They gave me a steroid shot, antibiotic shot and a RX for antibiotic with instructions to take Mucinex DM, vit C D3 , zinc and lots of water. I am hoping i feel better Monday!