Verywell Health / Theresa Chiechi
Key Takeaways
So you got COVID-19 once.
Can you get it again?
This means that any individual who has recovered from COVID-19 can get infected again.
Verywell Health / Theresa Chiechi
Here’s what we know so far.
Is Reinfection More Likely With Omicron?
The quantity of this here in the United States is an active point of investigation.
Can You Get Reinfected Immediately?
Some studies show immunity that lasts for five to 12 months.
When you have COVID-19, the body produces antibodies against the virus, which protects against reinfection.
You are at risk for another infection as the level of antibodies decreases, Bachmann said.
As with vaccination, reinfections tend to increase with increasing time since your first infection, Silva said.
However, these occurrences are still very rare.
There is some limited data that shows vaccination after infection reduces risk of reinfection, Bachmann said.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reinfection with COVID-19.
World Health Organization.Statement Update on COVID-19:Omicron is gaining ground: Protect, prevent, prepare.
Milne G, Hames T, Scotton C et al.
Does infection with or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 lead to lasting immunity?.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Published online December 23, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.033
