I've had coronavirus twice

[Catwoman123]

Anyone else had it more than once?
I've tested positive twice and both times I've had the same symptoms only this time its been a lot milder. Does this mean I could get it again?
Fwiw I was being super careful both times, not seeing anyone but my dc were going to school and I was going to the supermarket once a week. Apart from that I saw no one.

How far apart were your tests?
When did you catch it the first time?
When did you catch it the second?
(name the months).

July was the first time and 2 weeks ago was the second time. I'm still suffering from tiredness but other than that I'm fine. I've still not gone out even though I've completed my isolation.

My dp didn't get it the first time I did but he tested positive this time. My dc both seemed to have had it very mildly both times I did .

Where did you get tested? Are you a health care worker?

Just curious. The PCR test at 45 cycles can pick up old or dead virus.

Both were PCR tests?
You've been unlucky, sorry you're unwell again. This would have been a good opportunity to investigate which strain you have now, to learn more about how it affects existing immunity after a few months from a recovered patient.

its quite normal to "catch" a virus twice - its just second time you'd never know it as the antibodies/T cell immunity kicks in before you ever get symptoms

The fact that yours was milder just meant your immunity took slightly longer to kick in

Both tests were the home test kits. I dont think it's an old or dead virus as I started feeling ill two weeks ago, I honestly didn't think it would be covid again although I had the same weird aches in my legs as last time. ..my dp had the test first and I thought he was joking when he said it was positive, I then ordered my test and positive!

@Barracker

This would have been a good opportunity to investigate which strain you have now, to learn more about how it affects existing immunity after a few months from a recovered patient

Yes, more focus should be placed on this

@TransplantedScouser you're probably right. Although I still felt absolutely crap and it was still bad enough that I've barely been out of bed for a week. But compared to last time when I was in bed a full month and had issues breathing and could just about manage to get to the bathroom, this time was a walk in the park.
I sincerely hope I never get it again.

Yes I've had it twice. Once badly last March (confirmed by antibodies in July) and again in Dec (confirmed by pcr). Second time was much milder which was a relief as first time was awful.

I work with several people who've had covid twice, months apart (HCP)

In Brazil, aren’t there people currently infected with two strains simultaneously?

And yes I'm sure I could catch it again but not hopefully for a few months. Last time my antibodies didnt last beyond 6 months.

Yeah frontline NHS worker here, loads of colleagues have had it twice now. The whole idea of I have antibodies so I'm immune is unfortunately very misleading.

Sorry you've been through it twice. Hope you're feeling better!

Yes, I had it in March, then December. Second time was much worse. Many friends and family were ill at the same time in March and have tested positive during the second wave. I think we will have to time vaccinations carefully going forward as 6-9 months seems to be how long immunity lasts.

DNiece has also had it twice. First time was mild anyway (fit healthy young adult) but second time even more so - completely asymptomatic and only picked up as she was having a test before an operation. Cases were about 5 months apart I think. She had tested negative between the two which was a lateral flow test at uni.

I’m not very clued up on this but a few of my family members have pondered whether the lateral flow test was just not as strong as the PCR tests, and perhaps she could just still be covid-positive from the first infection but the lateral flow didn’t pick it up, whereas the PCR test did? Is something like this possible? Would be v grateful for someone to explain it to me as I’m trying to understand things a bit better.

Hope you’re feeling ok OP

Lateral flow only picks up live virus so needs to be a high viral load for a positive test to show. PCR can detect old virus that is no longer capable of being passed on

Twice.
Paramedic- so very frontline.
March, very bad, very frightening and took several weeks to recover.
2 weeks ago, mild symptoms and more of a cough this time than the last. Both PCRs and the second time I had a very faint +ve LFT which made me take a PCR.
I'm rarely ill, rarely suffer colds so to have the 'rona twice is a bit of a shock.

But it's ok, our PPE is fit for purpose.

Cant comment on your neice's case but I had 5 negative pcr tests be my first infection and my second one. I was tested a lot as I had long COVID symptoms which kept triggering the Zoe app to send me for testing. So my experience is that you dont just keep testing positive after the first infection even if it's still causing quite significant symptoms.

@Porcupineintherough

Yes I've had it twice. Once badly last March (confirmed by antibodies in July) and again in Dec (confirmed by pcr). Second time was much milder which was a relief as first time was awful.

@Porcupineintherough when you had the positive antibody test in July, did you have the long lasting or short lasting antibodies (can't remember what they are called, but the antibody test I did distinguished between the two?)

I dont know but I assume short lasting as they were gone when I was retested in September.

Sympathies.

I had it in Dec (positive test 27th) recovered (apart from some taste and smell loss). But have been feeling rubbish since Friday - nausea, headache, stomach ache, massive fatigue and am seriously wondering if it's come back.

Know 3 people had it twice. Similar/slightly milder second time. It’ll become common most circulating coronaviruses are caught regularly. No reason to expect this to be different although vaccines will prevent a lot.

thanks oaktree that's helpful to know. I'd only heard of the Long Covid scenario.

I think I have but wasnt tested the first time.

March - very ill. Terrified. Couldnt breath properly/elephant on chest but could have been uncontrolled asthma.

Did antibody test october but negative . I guess too late to know.

I now have covid tested. But nowhere near as ill. I have quite a few risk factors so thinking even more that last March was covid. Even so that I wondered if it was a false positive.

I don't know when best to test for antibodies this time. I kind of want to to reassure myself.

I have been avoiding supermarkets/people the lot so wonderjng how long I could feel "safe' for but also wondered if a milder dose meant the antibodies lasted for a shorter time.

Im group 6 so should get vaccine soon. I'd dearly love to know if I had it last March. Asthma nurse thought I did at the time but dr said we wouldn't know without a test. Obbiously they weren't happening then.