Focus | Which groups of people are more likely to be infected again? Will they be infected multiple times due to different virus strains?

Will you be infected again after being infected with the new coronavirus? Which groups of people are more likely to be infected again? Is it possible for a person to be infected multiple times due to different strains? As the number of people infected with the new coronavirus increases, secondary infection has become a hot topic of public concern.

The reporter recently interviewed Liu Hongyan, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Shenyang Sixth People's Hospital and leader of the Shenyang New Coronavirus Pneumonia Treatment Expert Group, to answer questions related to secondary infection.

1

What is secondary infection?

"Secondary infection means that a person has been infected with the new coronavirus, has completely recovered, and then is infected with the new coronavirus again." Liu Hongyan said that secondary infection usually has symptoms, and the CT value of the nucleic acid is relatively low, the viral load is high, and it is contagious. If the nucleic acid is positive again more than one month after recovery, the possibility of reinfection is relatively high. Generally, patients with normal immune function can obtain protection for more than 3 to 6 months after recovery from infection. The probability of secondary infection during this period is also relatively low, so there is no need to worry too much.

The picture shows Dai Ying, head nurse of the Internal Medicine Clinic of the Central Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, guiding a patient to register. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

2

Which groups of people are more likely to be infected again?

Experts say that people with low immune function are more likely to be infected again. "For example, the immune function of the elderly has deteriorated, and after recovery from infection, the duration of protection is relatively short. Infants under three years old have not yet developed their immune function, and the duration of protection after recovery may also be relatively short," said Liu Hongyan. In addition, people with immune deficiencies such as AIDS patients or users of immunosuppressants also have a relatively short duration of protection, and are at greater risk of secondary infection.

3

Is it possible for a person to be infected multiple times due to different strains?

After the human body is infected with the new coronavirus, the immune system is already working, so the possibility of being infected again with the same or different new coronavirus variants in a short period of time is low. According to the current data, the risk of secondary infection with the Omicron strain is higher than that of the original strains, including Delta and the original strains. "After infection, there is cross-protection against variants similar to this virus, but if the virus continues to mutate, or some more distantly related strains, the risk of infection will also increase. " Liu Hongyan said.

In addition, relevant experts from the Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that there are other respiratory infectious diseases in winter and spring, such as influenza, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc., so it is necessary to continue to maintain good living and hygiene habits, exercise appropriately, eat a reasonable diet, wear masks properly, wash hands frequently, strengthen hand disinfection, open windows for ventilation, maintain a safe social distance, and pay attention to coughing etiquette.