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Original poster

Hello Covid my old friend...

26 replies

Knamechange · 03/12/2020 13:40

Has anyone had it twice, or think they have?

I'm currently waiting for a test result and I'm damn certain I had it in March. I was quite ill with multiple symptoms for weeks, was on the long Covid thread for a bit. No test of course.

At the same time I'm wondering if could it be some kind of relapse so much later on?

Symptoms similar but milder.

OP posts:
escondida · 03/12/2020 13:43

Tonnes of people are convinced they had it but never had a test so they are just guessing.

People get other lung & throat bugs all the time. This year, every throat/lung bug is being called covid. It's like people want to think they must have had it.

Blue565 · 03/12/2020 14:03

I am convinced i had it in March, my other half and both daughters got it 2 weeks ago (confirmed test) and we didn't do any social distancing and I haven't had symptoms...

I am hoping if I am immune that being exposed to it again may have given me a further boost to get through to vaccination.

Blue565 · 03/12/2020 14:04

Disclaimer - social distancing inside our house while in quarantine!

Original poster
Knamechange · 03/12/2020 14:32

Escondida I take your point. My GP's opinion in March was that it almost certainly was Covid based on my symptoms and history, but indeed will never know for sure. Unlikely to have been flu as I have the vax every year, so that was ruled out.

That's why I've got tested this time round.

Blue565 that is interesting. Did you get tested?

OP posts:
Blue565 · 03/12/2020 15:25

@Knamechange

Escondida I take your point. My GP's opinion in March was that it almost certainly was Covid based on my symptoms and history, but indeed will never know for sure. Unlikely to have been flu as I have the vax every year, so that was ruled out.

That's why I've got tested this time round.

Blue565 that is interesting. Did you get tested?

I didn't as I had no symptoms and the NHS site said you're not supposed to. I suppose in hindsight I probably should have fibbed but didn't want to contribute to existing testing problems.

Lots of anxiety in the house but my other half had bad cold/mild flu level symptoms and the children had a mild cough

bringbackCabanas · 03/12/2020 18:57

How long did you experience long covid symptoms for, and what are you experiencing now, @Knamechange ?

Original poster
Knamechange · 03/12/2020 19:55

@bringbackCabanas

How long did you experience long covid symptoms for, and what are you experiencing now, *@Knamechange* ?
The shortness of breath and fatigue lasted for about 8 weeks, but I'm still using a steroid inhaler for ?post viral asthma, and my peak flow is pretty poor. Not been able to access any kind of assessment as lung function / asthma clinics are not happening here.

Energy levels have been fine since the summer and I've been back to being able to walk 10k etc.

My symptoms in the last few days have been very similar to the original ones, just milder.

Started with a hoarse voice and tight chest, developed spiking temp with high heart rate and shortness of breath on day 2 or 3. Slight cough but nothing major.

My test has just come back negative, so it must be another upper respiratory infection I assume?

OP posts:
WouldBeGood · 03/12/2020 19:57

Worldwide research shows it’s incredibly unlikely to get it twice.

Formicamouse · 03/12/2020 19:58

Loads of people are convinced they had it in March, or February, or December last year or whatever. The fact is if you've got it now then you probably didn't have it then. The risk of reinfection is negligible.

Formicamouse · 03/12/2020 20:00

And BTW when I was 17 I had post viral fatigue after a particularly nasty bout of flu. I had shortness of breath and extreme fatigue and body aches for about 6 months after. That was in 2007 so was definitely not covid.

Formicamouse · 03/12/2020 20:01

Unlikely to have been flu as I have the vax every year, so that was ruled out.

The flu vaccine is only about 47% effective.

NotJustACigar · 03/12/2020 20:02

A nurse where my friend works has got it twice, both times confirmed by tests.

Vinnyinny · 03/12/2020 20:11

Hi- yes, I know someone who has had it twice, both confirmed by tests. The first time was mild, and this time more severe.

Interestingly, I've just had antibody test results back from work and have been told that I have a low amount of antibodies, have probably been asymptomatic at some point and that the current understanding is that antibodies wear off after around 3 months. I'm assuming that means I could catch it again as they wear off.

WouldBeGood · 03/12/2020 20:13

These threads are always full of medical marvels

Vinnyinny · 03/12/2020 20:17

It seems to me like there's still a bit to learn about covid and whether it can be caught twice, but it's a fact that someone I'm close to has had two tests, months apart, both positive, and that this time they are in hospital and unwell with it. Not a medical marvel. A poorly person.

ForBlueSkies · 03/12/2020 20:25

It’s more common than people think. To be scientifically classified as a reinfection the genomes of the first and second infection must be compared and show differences. So naturally the official number is low.

Porcupineinwaiting · 03/12/2020 20:31

It's fairly common to get it twice OP - much more common than the press here would have you believe. Lots of reports in the US - there people can prove it as they've had access to testing for longer. Luckily if you were pretty ill last time you are likely to get a milder version this time. Good luck x

Porcupineinwaiting · 03/12/2020 20:32

@Formicamouse sorry but that's just not true.

middleager · 03/12/2020 20:34

I know a teacher who's had it twice, confirmed.

Umbongoumbongo999 · 03/12/2020 20:35

Someone in my workplace (healthcare) has returned a second positive test. She was symptomatic both times but interestingly tested negative for antibodies after the first wave, so either had a false positive the first time or such a mild case that she has developed no long lasting protection

Original poster
Knamechange · 03/12/2020 20:38

@Formicamouse

Loads of people are convinced they had it in March, or February, or December last year or whatever. The fact is if you've got it now then you probably didn't have it then. The risk of reinfection is negligible.
I'd be interested in a link to any data on risk of reinfection being neglible.
OP posts:
ForBlueSkies · 03/12/2020 20:51

@Umbongoumbongo999

Someone in my workplace (healthcare) has returned a second positive test. She was symptomatic both times but interestingly tested negative for antibodies after the first wave, so either had a false positive the first time or such a mild case that she has developed no long lasting protection
From the studies we have so far it seems 5-10% of people do not produce antibodies. These could be the people getting reinfected.
joanwinifred · 03/12/2020 20:53

I tested positive twice for corona. The first time in March, and the second time in July. I still have lasting complications.

Redbrickwall · 03/12/2020 21:28

Those with the first SARS are still immune 17 years later. There is no reason why this would be any different. After all, if people don’t become immune, why have a vaccination?!

Antibodies may well slowly but surely disappear. Again, that’s normal. They are replaced by the T cell memory. This is all basic immunology and nothing new.