Covid-19 Reinfection: Can I get COVID again after having had it?

Posted by neverlosefaith07 @neverlosefaith07, Jan 22, 2021

I have a question can I get covid 19 again after having it once

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Hello @neverlosefaith07 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are wondering if you are able to contract COVID-19 after you have tested positive.

I am not a medical professional, however, was able to find some very new research that has come out of the U.K. that you might find helpful as well as a podcast from October 2020 that may provide some additional insights.

-COVID reinfections are unusual — but could still help the virus to spread:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00071-6

-COVID-19 trials pause over safety concerns:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/covid-19-trials-pause-over-safety-concerns/

How long ago did you test positive?

REPLY
@amandajro

Hello @neverlosefaith07 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are wondering if you are able to contract COVID-19 after you have tested positive.

I am not a medical professional, however, was able to find some very new research that has come out of the U.K. that you might find helpful as well as a podcast from October 2020 that may provide some additional insights.

-COVID reinfections are unusual — but could still help the virus to spread:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00071-6

-COVID-19 trials pause over safety concerns:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/covid-19-trials-pause-over-safety-concerns/

How long ago did you test positive?

Jump to this post

about 6 weeks ago

REPLY
In reply to @marinameshel "about 6 weeks ago" + (show)
@marinameshel

about 6 weeks ago

Jump to this post

@neverlosefaith07 - Good morning. How long had it between infections? How are you feeling now?

REPLY
@amandajro

Hello @neverlosefaith07 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are wondering if you are able to contract COVID-19 after you have tested positive.

I am not a medical professional, however, was able to find some very new research that has come out of the U.K. that you might find helpful as well as a podcast from October 2020 that may provide some additional insights.

-COVID reinfections are unusual — but could still help the virus to spread:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00071-6

-COVID-19 trials pause over safety concerns:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/covid-19-trials-pause-over-safety-concerns/

How long ago did you test positive?

Jump to this post

I was also tested positive for Covid - 19 about 6 weeks ago. Still was not able to find definite answer about need for vaccination. ( how long should I wait after positive test and do I need just one booster ,etc.) Thank you everybody if you can help to clear up this issue for me

REPLY
@marinameshel

I was also tested positive for Covid - 19 about 6 weeks ago. Still was not able to find definite answer about need for vaccination. ( how long should I wait after positive test and do I need just one booster ,etc.) Thank you everybody if you can help to clear up this issue for me

Jump to this post

@marinameshel- Good morning. Guidelines for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are to wait 90 days after you test negative. To answer your question about the need for the vaccine if you have had COvid is, that everyone needs to be vaccinated. We know that the vaccines work at least for 1/2 a year, so far. We have no idea how long you are protected from having had covid-19. Also, there is a chance, although slight, of reinfections.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/newsfeed-post/tackling-the-latest-covid-19-topics/
( Antibody tests after having a COVID-19 vaccine.)

Meanwhile be sure to protect yourself and others. How are you feeling?

REPLY

Hello @marinameshel and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

This podcast should help guide you based on your question.

-Do I still need to get vaccinated if I've already had COVID-19?:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/do-i-still-need-to-get-vaccinated-if-ive-already-had-covid-19/vid-20507033

Please let me know if you found this helpful.

REPLY

I have had Covid twice now. The second one started April 5, and has totally knocked me for a loop. My breathing is very bad, with SOB and severe congestion, plus fatigue. I was put on Dexamethasone for 10 days high dose, then tapered down to one pill per day ending yesterday. The medicine greatly helped, but made my ankles swell up. This was prescribed by another Pulmonologist 100-miles away, that deals with Covid, and was recommended by this site, and I am thankful to have found him. So, today I went to my regular Pulmonologist with a follow-up appointment, and you can hear me gasping for air through thick congestion and wheezing. I told him that since the steroid has run out, I feel like I am suffocating. He told me I should go see a Psychiatrist! What the heck? Here I am in this horrid condition, and he says that to me. He said he suggests this to his patients periodically if he feels the client is having a panic attack. This is NOT a panic attack! It is a Covid attack! I left there very upset, in fact, my entire family is now upset, and for that I am sorry. Maybe he is mad that I went to another doctor? All I know is that today has not been a good one. He won't prescribe Prednisone, which is something most doctors prescribe for Covid and breathing difficulties. I have called the other doctor so far away, hoping he can help me. Thank-you, for listening, and hoping no-one else ever gets treated this way, especially when they can hardly breathe!

REPLY
@thomason

I have had Covid twice now. The second one started April 5, and has totally knocked me for a loop. My breathing is very bad, with SOB and severe congestion, plus fatigue. I was put on Dexamethasone for 10 days high dose, then tapered down to one pill per day ending yesterday. The medicine greatly helped, but made my ankles swell up. This was prescribed by another Pulmonologist 100-miles away, that deals with Covid, and was recommended by this site, and I am thankful to have found him. So, today I went to my regular Pulmonologist with a follow-up appointment, and you can hear me gasping for air through thick congestion and wheezing. I told him that since the steroid has run out, I feel like I am suffocating. He told me I should go see a Psychiatrist! What the heck? Here I am in this horrid condition, and he says that to me. He said he suggests this to his patients periodically if he feels the client is having a panic attack. This is NOT a panic attack! It is a Covid attack! I left there very upset, in fact, my entire family is now upset, and for that I am sorry. Maybe he is mad that I went to another doctor? All I know is that today has not been a good one. He won't prescribe Prednisone, which is something most doctors prescribe for Covid and breathing difficulties. I have called the other doctor so far away, hoping he can help me. Thank-you, for listening, and hoping no-one else ever gets treated this way, especially when they can hardly breathe!

Jump to this post

@thomason I am sorry to hear of your frustration following your appointment as well as for your on-going symptoms. I am glad to hear that you received a positive referral from a Connect member!

You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on Covid-19 reinfections.

As well, you might be interested in connecting with other members who have experienced lasting symptoms. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/

What, if anything, in addition to the medication have you found to help with your symptoms?

REPLY
@amandajro

@thomason I am sorry to hear of your frustration following your appointment as well as for your on-going symptoms. I am glad to hear that you received a positive referral from a Connect member!

You will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion on Covid-19 reinfections.

As well, you might be interested in connecting with other members who have experienced lasting symptoms. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/covid-19/

What, if anything, in addition to the medication have you found to help with your symptoms?

Jump to this post

The nebulizer with 7% saline helps much. The Hyland's Cold n' Mucus Daytime Natural. Aspirin sparingly. And, the big life-saver (but blood-pressure raiser) Primeatene Mist Inhaler. Without the inhaler, I do not think I would be here, literally. For some reason, all the prescribed inhalers do me more harm than good.

REPLY
@thomason

The nebulizer with 7% saline helps much. The Hyland's Cold n' Mucus Daytime Natural. Aspirin sparingly. And, the big life-saver (but blood-pressure raiser) Primeatene Mist Inhaler. Without the inhaler, I do not think I would be here, literally. For some reason, all the prescribed inhalers do me more harm than good.

Jump to this post

In this article, facial steaming/steam therapy is mentioned as a good and natural way to open airways (in addition to several others in the article).

7 Natural Ways to Clear the Lungs:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324483#ways-to-clear-the-lungs

I believe there are some good options on Amazon, that is if you are looking for additional options on top of what you are already doing/using. I am wondering if that is something you've ever considered trying?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.