– Many people have already contracted the corona virus several times – despite protective measures such as vaccination, boosters and masks. But why is it and are certain groups particularly susceptible to reinfection?
According to the Robert Koch Institute, reinfection, i.e. repeated infection with a virus, depends on individual factors. Age, previous illnesses and the immune status play a role, among other things. A new infection with another corona variant is basically possible at any time and for everyone. Vaccination does not protect against it either. It only ensures a milder course.
One of the decisive factors is how the previous infection went. If the symptoms were mild or hardly ever occurred, the immune system was less stimulated. Then fewer antibodies formed, which prevent re-infection.
In principle, an infection protects against re-infection – but it depends on the conditions. “Compared to a vaccination, it is at least about 80 percent and that for a normal period of about nine to ten months,” explains Carsten Watzl, Secretary General of the German Society for Immunology Stuttgart News.
However, contamination with an earlier variant (e.g. Alpha, Beta or Delta) does not protect as well against Omicron. According to Watzl, the protective effect is then only 20 to a maximum of 40 percent. In other words: The probability of being infected with Corona several times increases with each new variant. Repeated infection with an omicron sub-variant is also quite possible.
How often can a person become infected with Corona?
So far there are no reliable figures. Studies from Great Britain, Austria and Denmark indicate that multiple infections are relatively common. Epidemiologist Juliet Pulliam explains that people can get infected up to four times or more. In the course of a lifetime, everyone can become infected again and again – depending on how the virus mutates. According to experts, protection against corona is relatively high for around three months after an illness has been overcome. However, only if the virus does not change.
With Omikron, the intervals can be significantly shorter. Some people become infected again after just a few weeks. Infection with the same corona variant is also possible if the immune protection decreases over time.
–
