How serious is secondary infection with COVID-19?

Since the large-scale epidemic of Omicron, the attitude of the entire society towards epidemic infection has changed dramatically, and everyone is prepared to be infected.

However, the first batch of infected people have just begun to recover, and the Internet is already full of discussions about "secondary infection." Theories such as “the more infections there are, the worse the immunity” and “repeated infections will lead to death” have also begun to appear.

What people are most worried about is the damage caused to the body by repeated infections.

Some people quoted the results of a study published in the international academic journal "Nature Medicine" in November 2022, which believed that compared with patients infected for the first time, repeated infections increase the risk of death by 117% and the risk of hospitalization by 232%. . However, the study subjects of this report were U.S. veterans with an average age of 63. Whether it is applicable to ordinary people is controversial.

A study published in "The Lancet-Regional Health (Europe)" in September this year pointed out that 99.17% of secondary infections are mild, and only a few are severe (0.78%) or critical ( 0.05%), reinfection had milder symptoms than primary infection, and only 1.08% of secondary infections required hospitalization, compared with 3.66% of primary infections.

However, the group cannot represent the individual, and the individual cannot represent the group. In order to understand what the real situation is like after being repeatedly infected with the new coronavirus, Tamen interviewed 9 patients who were repeatedly infected with the new coronavirus, hoping to provide some reference for everyone in terms of infection symptoms, time between repeated infections, response and preventive measures, etc.

1. What are the physical symptoms like after secondary infection with COVID-19?

Currently, there is no clear definition of secondary infection with COVID-19.

According to the diagnostic standards announced by the Taiwan Epidemic Command Center on September 3, 2022, a second diagnosis of COVID-19 infection 14 days after being diagnosed is a secondary infection. The World Health Organization believes that secondary infection with the new coronavirus should occur at least 90 days after the initial infection. If the interval is less than 90 days, but evidence of infection with a different branch is found, this is also determined to be secondary infection.

This time, we interviewed 9 friends who were infected 2-9 months apart. Their infection symptoms were very different. Some people had milder symptoms the second time they were infected, and some people lost strength after repeated infections. There has been a significant decrease, and there are also cases where the symptoms of the first infection were very mild, but the secondary infection worsened several times.

1. “The second symptoms were milder than the first”

Qianmian, female, 29 years old, not vaccinated

April 2022 First infection, second infection in December 2022, 8 months apart

Generally speaking, the second time the symptoms were much milder, last time it was like a big flu, this time it was like a common cold.

After the first infection, I had a fever for 3 days, with a maximum temperature of about 38.7 degrees, a sore throat, and a slight cough. I felt very uncomfortable when I had a fever. I couldn't eat anything and even vomited after taking Lianhua Qingwen. I lay in bed for two or three days and it didn't turn negative until the tenth day.

The second time, my parents were infected first and passed it on to my daughter. I was also infected the next day. It was mainly a sore throat. The next day, I started to have a low fever, with a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees. I could clearly feel the pain moving up from my throat along the nasopharyngeal tube. Then I developed symptoms of slight nasal congestion, headache, and runny nose. This time it turned negative faster than last time. The test was positive on Saturday, and the antigen test on Wednesday was negative.

I think antibodies are still effective, because this time it was transmitted between family members, and it should be the same strain. However, this was the first time my parents were infected, and their symptoms were much more severe. My husband and I were both infected twice, and the symptoms were relatively mild, even if we were sick, I could still play with the baby from morning to night.

Mumu, male, 39 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in March 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 9 months< /p>

I was infected once in South Korea in March this year. At that time, I had a fever for 4 days in a row. The fever reached about 39.4 degrees. I felt a headache and aches all over my body. I took antipyretic medicine and it was only on the fifth day that I gradually felt better.

Later I went to China. Due to work reasons, foreign drivers often came to the company. I think the second infection started from the foreign drivers. One night, I had dinner with my colleague at home. The next day, he felt unwell. I did an antigen test and found out that I was also infected.

The symptoms for the second time were much milder than the first. I still had a slight fever and body aches, but they were not as uncomfortable as the first time. Have symptoms of a runny nose, like a cold.

Because I was not familiar with which medicine was better, I only took Lianhua Qingwen and 999 Ganmao Ling. Later, I felt that taking medicine was very troublesome, so I stopped taking it. I was still working and doing housework during the days when I was infected. Although the antigen was still positive on the fifth day, my body no longer hurt, just like when I was not sick.

Both infections were caused by Omicron. I felt it was more painful the first time, but after this infection, I had a lump on my body. It may be because my immunity was reduced during the illness and inflammation occurred in my body. , need to go to the hospital to have it removed.

Bei, 36 years old, Shanghai, has received the first dose of vaccine

The first infection in April 2022, the second infection in December 2022, 8 months apart

At the end of April and beginning of May this year, I was infected once during the lockdown in Shanghai. At that time, I felt a sore throat and headache. I had a fever for several days in a row. It was around 37.4 degrees and could not be lowered. On the seventh day, the fever turned Negative.

After turning yin for the first time, the body will feel tired easily. Later, the lockdown in Shanghai was lifted. Every day when I got home from work, I felt very tired and weak. I lay in bed and gasped for air, feeling like my body had been drained. This state lasted for more than a month and was improved after taking multivitamins.

After the relaxation in December, many people around me were diagnosed with yang. First, my colleague sitting next to me tested positive. The company asked us to work from home. Later, my husband also tested positive. . I've been fine myself, and I think the antibodies from the first infection were somewhat useful.

One day I felt a sore throat and sneezed several times. My throat suddenly became hoarse at four or five o'clock in the afternoon. I felt something was not good. I took the antigen test and found a very light second line. It's probably a trick.

The second infection was milder. I had a low fever for two days, with a little cough and yellow phlegm. The antigen turned negative on the fifth day. However, I am still working from home and do very little exercise, so I don’t feel as weak as before.

2. "Second infection, physical fitness decreased significantly"

Cheng Jiaqi, female, 32 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first in December 2021 First infection, second infection in February 2022, 3 months apart

I just got the third shot of the vaccine and got the second infection.

Before I got the vaccine, I already had a slight cough and sore throat, which got worse immediately after the vaccination. Everyone around me was already infected at that time. Although I wore a mask and took vitamins every day, it was of no use. I originally thought that the antibodies from the first infection would last at least another half year, but I didn't expect that I would be "infected" again just three months later.

Although the second infection also turned negative within a week, this time I felt that my physical energy had dropped significantly:

I believe in Buddhism, and I originally had to do "prostrations" (also known as prostrations) every day. "Kowtow"). When I was infected for the first time, even though I was very sleepy every day, I could still pray three to four hundred times a day. But the second time I coughed so hard that I lost all my strength.

The symptoms of the third infection were very mild at first. I had no fever or cough. It turned cloudy in less than a week.

However, this year my physical fitness has dropped significantly, and I get out of breath when I move. Now it is confirmed that the blood supply to the heart is insufficient and myocardial ischemia. The Chinese medicine doctor I saw said this is the sequelae of the new coronavirus. And I feel like my memory has gotten a lot worse now, and I often forget things I promised others.

Xiao Hu, female, 21 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in April 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months< /p>

During the incubation period of the first infection, my throat continued to feel uncomfortable. Later, I had a fever all night, and the antigen test showed two lines.

The more serious symptom at that time was coughing. I had been coughing on and off for almost a month, especially in the first week. I would wake up coughing several times every night and could not sleep for a whole night. Occasionally I would still cough after turning cloudy. Coughing up phlegm.

I have already had two injections of Sinovac. You can get a booster injection 6 months after the infection, so on December 21, I went to get the third injection of Anhui Zhifei. I originally wanted to strengthen my immunity. , and as a result, I had a fever the next night after the injection. I guess I had been infected before, but it was still in the incubation period, and the symptoms came out after the injection.

The second time I was infected, I had a fever all night. My cough was not as severe as the first time, but I still had a headache and general weakness. I lay in bed for two days and had a runny nose. Now I feel very tired when climbing the stairs. It is very difficult to breathe and out of breath. Because my home is on the 5th floor and there is no elevator. I used to find it quite easy to climb the 5th floor and I would not be out of breath from exhaustion. Now it feels like breathing is painful.

Xiao Bei, female, 28 years old, has received 2 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in March 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 9 months< /p>

The first infection is more serious, with fever, aches, fatigue, cough, and various symptoms superimposed on each other. From March 26th until the Qingming Festival holiday, I was very tired and had a sore throat. I had a fever for three days and a cough that lasted for more than a month.

The policy was relaxed in the week of December 11th. My friend and I went to the hot springs. Two days later, my friend became positive. On the 14th, I started to have a sore throat. It was not until the 17th that the weak Yang was detected. On the 21st The number turns negative. The second time I was infected with Yang was quite short, but my cough is still not completely gone.

The second infection mainly caused respiratory symptoms, including swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and speechlessness, and a slight headache at night, but it would be fine after a good sleep. There is obvious fatigue after turning negative. For example, when you go out to buy groceries, you could walk there easily before. But after the second infection, you will feel breathless and tired when you walk there.

From the perspective of symptoms, the second time was milder, but from the perspective of physical recovery after recovery, there was obvious fatigue the second time.

3. "The symptoms of the initial infection were mild, but the secondary infection was significantly worse."

Totoro, female, 24 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

2021 The first infection was in December 2022, and the second infection was in January 2022, with an interval of 2 months

The first time there were basically no symptoms, just a slight cough and a little dry throat. I had a fever for the second time, sore throat, headache, back pain, stuffy nose, and a bad cough.

The main reason is that I thought I had already been infected and would not be infected again, so I went out to eat too many times without fear, which greatly increased the infection rate. My roommate doesn’t go out to eat very often and always comes back negative.

Max, female, 24 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in April 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months

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The first time I was infected, I had no symptoms. I had a slight sore throat and dizziness, which felt like tonsillitis. The pain only lasted for about a day.

But after that, I obviously felt that my memory was getting worse. Sometimes I would forget things at work. Sometimes I would still look for something when I brought it with me. I went for a physical examination some time ago and found an extra thyroid nodule. The doctor said it might be related to the new coronavirus infection.

The symptoms of the second infection were much more severe than the last time. On the first day, I had a high fever, sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion. I started to sleep at 9 p.m., but I didn’t fall asleep all night because My head hurts too much. I thought I was fine and took a shower, but my symptoms worsened. The next day, I had no energy at all. I had a high fever of 39 degrees and felt dizzy all day long. The recurring high fever lasted for three days before it went down. Now it has just turned negative on the seventh day, and I still have cough and nasal congestion.

When I was infected for the second time, it was already very serious in the company. Both my parents were infected. The antibodies may still be effective within 6 months, but they will be of no use any longer.

Zhang Zhaohua, male, 26 years old, not vaccinated

First infection in July 2022, second infection in December 2022, 5 months apart

The first infection lasted two or three days. It started with a sore throat. I woke up from the pain at 5 or 6 o'clock the next morning. Then I started to have a headache. I stayed up all night and couldn't sleep. On the third day, the headache disappeared. I coughed for two days and basically everything was fine. .

The second time was at least three times more painful than the first time. The first night I felt so uncomfortable that I couldn't sleep. I woke up every two or three hours, but I couldn't wake up completely, and I couldn't sleep well. My body temperature was over 38 degrees. I kept tossing and turning until about six o'clock in the morning. The recurring fever tortured me for three to five days. I didn’t even want to pick up a cup of water. It took a week to get better. Now it’s the tenth day. I still cough up phlegm occasionally.

I am quite surprised about this infection because I haven’t gone out much in the past few days and I haven’t been in contact with others. I can’t figure out how I got infected.

2. How to treat the new coronavirus after repeated infection?

Although there are many voices on the Internet that say "everything should be done as soon as possible" and "morning is better", most of the interviewees expressed that they do not want to be infected again. On the one hand, the process of infection is more painful, and on the other hand, they do not want to be infected again and again. On the one hand, there is concern that repeated infections can damage immunity.

In this interview, the voices we heard the most were “Don’t get infected if you can’t avoid it, because it’s very uncomfortable” and “Protect yourself well, but there is really nothing you can do if you get infected in the end. ".

1. “Since we can’t escape, we can only face it with optimism”

Mumu, male, 39 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

2022 The first infection was in March, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 9 months

The new coronavirus was very dangerous at the beginning, but now it has been a long time, and it is just like a cold.

I now feel that the sooner I get infected, the better. After I was infected for the first time, I didn’t catch a cold for a long time. I think it’s because I have developed antibodies after being infected, so I’m less likely to get sick right away.

I heard that it is easy to be infected again after 3 to 6 months. I have just recovered and my body still has antibodies, so it doesn’t matter. But the main purpose is good health, and I still want to be careful and try not to get infected again.

Bei, 36 years old, Shanghai, has received the first dose of vaccine

The first infection in April 2022, the second infection in December 2022, 8 months apart

I was quite scared before this wave came. After all, I had it once before, but when I actually saw the second bar, I thought it was unexpected and reasonable. Since I couldn’t escape, I had to Faced with optimism.

I have seen foreign research, saying that repeated infections are less severe than the last. I think this thing still has certain antibodies. From my own personal experience, it’s not that scary. It’s just like getting a booster shot.

2. “It’s not that scary, and it’s not that indifferent”

Zhang Zhaohua, male, 26 years old, not vaccinated

First time in July 2022 Infection, the second infection in December 2022, 5 months apart

At the beginning of 2020, I didn’t go out for more than 50 days at home. I was frightened by this thing and was quite scared.

After the first infection, I felt that it was not that scary. I was very sure that it was just a bad cold and nothing happened at all.

After the second infection, my mentality changed again. It is not as scary as I first thought, nor as insignificant as I thought later. It is still a relatively serious illness that needs to be taken seriously and try not to get infected.

3. “I am quite afraid of repeated infections”

Xiao Hu, female, born in 2000, has received 3 doses of vaccine

April 2022 The first infection, the second infection in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months

I am quite afraid of repeated infections, because many people on the Internet said that after being infected many times, the body will become worse and worse. Difference. It’s my second time now, and if things continue like this, it won’t be far from my third or fourth time.

There are many foreign friends who have experienced several infections. I will read their experience posts to see how others are doing. Now I think I shouldn’t be infected if I can, and protect myself well, but there is really nothing I can do if I am really infected.

Max, female, 24 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in April 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months

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At first I felt that this kind of thing would definitely not happen to me. I have been more careful since the first infection. After the second infection, I felt that I really don’t want to get it again. Because repeated infections still have a great impact on the body, every fever will affect the lungs and various body functions, so I am a little anxious.

Some people think that the earlier the better, but now it seems that this is not a good thing, because the virus will mutate, and the strains of each infection may be different, but the antibodies may only be six months old. I am quite worried about the third infection because it is impossible to prevent it.

Xiao Bei, female, 28 years old, has received 2 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in March 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 9 months< /p>

After I found out about the infection, I felt quite sad. I was worried that if there was a second time, there would be a third or fourth time. No one can tell the consequences of the new coronavirus. I don’t know what will happen to me. I won't encounter any other problems, so I'm still quite worried.

Many people around me strongly support liberalization. They feel that infection is inevitable, and they even hope to get infected as soon as possible, so they don’t like to wear masks. At that time, I was thinking about whether the policy liberalization would have an impact on my future friendships. For example, some people just don't like to wear masks and like to go to crowded places. Then this person is more likely to carry the virus. So should I reduce contact with them? I have also had this question myself.

4. “Mainly worried about the elderly”

Qianmian, female, 29 years old, not vaccinated

First infection in April 2022, 2022 I was infected for the second time in December, 8 months apart

For someone who is usually healthy, I have never felt that the disease itself is scary. I am worried about other things.

When I was infected for the first time, I was mainly worried about the children and cats at home. What if we had to go into quarantine? What about cats? We worry about whether we will infect our neighbors and whether our neighbors will be afraid of us.

Now we are mainly worried about the elderly. There are many elderly people infected in this wave, and there are also many people in the hospital. My grandma and grandma are both in their 80s and both were infected this time. I can only be thankful that they did not develop dangerous symptoms. If it was really serious enough to go to the hospital, their family members would definitely be very worried.

3. In terms of behavior, what are the response/prevention measures?

After experiencing two infections, many people have adopted a more cautious attitude towards the epidemic, saying that they can no longer take it lightly and must protect themselves and wear masks. In addition, some people insist on fitness habits to improve their body's resistance. Some people buy oximeter and oxygen concentrator in case of emergency. Some people go to the hospital to take X-rays to check whether the lungs are damaged.

In addition, people’s common understanding of the epidemic is that virus prevention should not disrupt the rhythm of normal life. Just like the interviewee @张赵华 said: "If you get injured during normal walking, you still have to move forward to bandage the wound. You can't just dwell on it."

1. "Go to the hospital for a check-up ”

Xiao Hu, female, born in 2000, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection in April 2022, the second infection in December 2022, 8 months apart

I was worried that the infection might damage my lungs, so I went for a CT scan and found that the results were normal, so I felt relieved. If your cough is severe, you should go to the hospital for a check-up.

2. “I will still take protective measures if I need to”

Totoro, female, born in the 1990s, has received 3 doses of vaccine

December 2021 First infection, second infection in January 2022, 2 months apart

Now I will be more cautious when going out to eat, and I will still take protective measures. Although everyone has been infected and has herd immunity, there is still concern about being infected with new strains. After suffering a loss, he is no longer as arrogant as before.

Max, female, 24 years old, has received 3 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in April 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months

p>

After the first infection, I felt that my physical fitness was not up to par, so I went to the gym, but I still couldn’t resist the virus. I think you should keep fit if you have the chance. When the virus comes, it depends on whether your own immunity can defeat it. You must maintain a good daily routine and proper exercise habits.

Now is the era of coexisting with viruses. Everyone still needs to protect themselves. I think ordinary masks are of no use. Basically, if you can wear N95, you will wear N95.

3. "Purchase antipyretics, oximeter, and oxygen concentrator"

Qianmian, female, 29 years old, not vaccinated

4, 2022 The first infection was in December 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 8 months

Our family has prepared some antipyretics and an oximeter so that we can monitor our situation at home, just in case. If you feel uncomfortable, you know when to go to the hospital, so you won’t be particularly anxious.

For ordinary people, all we can do is protect ourselves and live our lives how we want. It is impossible not to go out or go to work because of this virus.

Zhang Zhaohua, male, 26 years old, not vaccinated

First infection in July 2022, second infection in December 2022, 5 months apart

After the second infection, because the symptoms were a bit severe, I was worried that the elderly in my family would be affected, so I bought an oxygen concentrator and an oximeter.

Sickness is an inevitable part of life. If you don’t have this disease, you will have other diseases, so you still have to live a normal life. While living a normal life, wear a mask, exercise more, prepare more medicines at home, and prepare some medical equipment for the elderly.

Xiaobei, female, 28 years old, has received 2 doses of vaccine

The first infection was in March 2022, and the second infection was in December 2022, with an interval of 9 months< /p>

I really don’t want to get infected again. I will still wear a mask and disinfect my hands when going to crowded places. This time, my parents and grandparents are all infected. Because my grandparents have oxygen machines at home, I now let them take turns breathing oxygen every day. I also bought them an oximeter, but it took a week for them to be shipped. At that time, I found that many stores All are out of stock.

4. "Watch less social media and reduce anxiety"

Qianmian, female, 29 years old, not vaccinated

First time in April 2022 Infection, second infection in December 2022, 8 months apart

I have a feeling that if you often go to social media, you will find this wave of epidemic particularly scary, because people with mild symptoms, You may not share these experiences online. Only those who are particularly uncomfortable will want to share them online.

I think it is better to stay on social media less during special times and create less anxiety for yourself. If I see some weird rumors, I will still feel anxious before I find out whether they are false. This is a kind of internal friction, so I choose to read less social media and less group messages.

4. Written at the end

As of the date of publication (December 29, 2022), the "New Ten Articles" have not been launched for a month, and most people across the country are still in the initial infection stage.

Therefore, the samples we can interview who have experienced "secondary infection" are limited: most of them are young people who are active on social media, have no underlying diseases, and are mild cases of COVID-19. Although it cannot represent all possible situations of "secondary infection", I hope to provide you with some reference besides macro data.

At this stage, people have many unscientific understandings of secondary infection. The Internet is full of information, either fabricating rumors in a sensational way or downplaying the symptoms and harm of secondary infection. We hope to use the real experience of nine people who were repeatedly infected with COVID-19 to remind everyone that secondary infection is not that scary, but it cannot be taken lightly.

In addition, we also want to express that there are currently many studies on secondary infections, but not all secondary infections follow the "significant" research conclusions. For example, some studies have shown that vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of secondary infection, but more than half of the respondents received three doses of the vaccine and were still infected again.

When the consequences of secondary infection are unclear, the only thing we can do is to extensively refer to and screen various information, rather than one-sided belief or complete denial. If you are internally consumed because of this, it is better to watch less social media and less group messages to make yourself more peaceful, as the interviewee @芊明 said , then it will be safe."

Hope it can help you!