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Original poster

Is reinfection actually that rare?

81 replies

forinborin · 03/12/2021 19:09

Have been making my way through studies on the reinfection frequency (in the context of omicron), and was surprised that while the estimates vary, all of them tend to agree that it is an exceptionally rare event with previous variants.

It has not been the experience around me at all. I can think of a two (unconnected) people who I know for certain (as in, had seen their PCR test both times with my own eyes) have had covid twice, with gaps of ~9 and ~15 months. I know many people who say they had it twice - I haven't seen the proof myself, but they are not known as habitual liars so at least some of them must be telling the truth.

What's your experience? Do you know someone who had it twice?

OP posts:
guineapigs · 03/12/2021 19:16

I only know people who have had it once. I haven't had it yet.

McKesson · 03/12/2021 19:18

Many of the hospital ODPs & nurses I work with have had it twice.

Original poster
forinborin · 03/12/2021 19:20

@McKesson

Many of the hospital ODPs & nurses I work with have had it twice.
Yes, both people I mentioned are in healthcare / care sector.
OP posts:
TulipsGarden · 03/12/2021 19:20

I don't know anyone who's had it twice. Lots who've had it once though.

Elephantsparade · 03/12/2021 19:26

I work in a school and we have been collecting all the positive covid tests (parents send them through) and we have only had two reinfections with about 8 months between them. Its quite a small school.

FrankiesKnuckle · 03/12/2021 19:28

I've had it twice, but then I am 'frontline' NHS.
I had it early March last year, which was horrendous and early January this year, likely the Kent variant, which was really nothing at all. That one I'd had my first vaccination.

Going by the seeming majority of people that DGAF now with regards to mask wearing, that makes my job harder. Traipsing into patient's homes with numerous family members increases my risk tenfold.

Many of my colleagues have tested +ve twice.

McKesson · 03/12/2021 19:28

I hasten to add that all staff are treble vaccinated by the way ( I don't know any clinical worker personally who works for my Trust who is unvaccinated). Thankfully none of the staff who've had it twice have had it severely; unlike the critically ill COVID patients they're looking after in ITU, the vast majority of whom are unvaccinated.
Unfortunately, a lot of people have the mindset that they will not be told what to do until it affects them and their close family.

kowari · 03/12/2021 19:30

No, no one.

I had covid symptoms in March 2020, confirmed by an antibody test six months later. I've never had a positive LFT or PCR despite being a close contact multiple times.

Original poster
forinborin · 03/12/2021 19:33

@Elephantsparade

I work in a school and we have been collecting all the positive covid tests (parents send them through) and we have only had two reinfections with about 8 months between them. Its quite a small school.
The ONS data, for example, puts the reinfection risk at somewhere around 0.1% reinfection probability per participant over the observation period (26 April 2020 up to 5 June 2021). Statistical studies only, so obviously come with their own caveats.
OP posts:
veryhungryhippo · 03/12/2021 19:34

I've tested positive twice with PCR about 9 months apart, had slightly different symptoms, I lost sense of smell second time. I was invited to take part in the PHE Reinfection study and sent off blood samples. I was told that the results from my blood tests suggested I hadn't had a previous infection (the first one) because something to do with my s-antibody levels not being high enough to suggest I'd already had covid. So I'm totally confused because I was ill both times with diff symptoms and had pos PCRs but its prob not included in any stats. Weird.

Babyroobs · 03/12/2021 19:38

My Ds1 has had it twice about nine months apart both confirmed by PCR.

Bobholll · 03/12/2021 19:38

I’ve had it twice & I WFH. But I am out living life to the absolute full so I was probably always going too.

I know quite a few people who have. Most had it last winter & then this Autumn. Presumably the Kent variant last year & Delta this year. Roll on Omicron 🙈😂

Elephantsparade · 03/12/2021 19:41

Well our school re- infection rate is much higher than 0.1% then, but thats just a fluke - funny the way statistics play out in life. There must be lots of other schools with no re-infection to balance it out.

Imgonnabewarmthiswinter · 03/12/2021 19:43

I know a couple of people who say they've had it twice but the first time wasn't pcr confirmed as it was early on in the pandemic so they can't really know if the first time was covid and not another virus.

Original poster
forinborin · 03/12/2021 19:44

@Elephantsparade

Well our school re- infection rate is much higher than 0.1% then, but thats just a fluke - funny the way statistics play out in life. There must be lots of other schools with no re-infection to balance it out.
Yes, of course. My experience doesn't support 0.1% as well. Was just wondering how common it is from the anecdotal data. I work with stats for living, so understand the nuances.
OP posts:
BHX3000 · 03/12/2021 19:48

I know quite a few people who have had it twice. It is not 'rare', nor is it the norm for majority.

My parents had it three times. March 2020, October 2020, October 2021. Confirmed by PCRs and antibody tests shortly after infection.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 03/12/2021 19:49

No

Lelivre · 03/12/2021 19:51

I do not know anyone but I have read that children do not always seroconvert and more recently there has been talk of reinfection expected at 1-2 year intervals - without vaccines.

Original poster
forinborin · 03/12/2021 19:52

@Lelivre

I do not know anyone but I have read that children do not always seroconvert and more recently there has been talk of reinfection expected at 1-2 year intervals - without vaccines.
Yes, saw this too.
OP posts:
InvincibleInvisibility · 03/12/2021 19:57

My 7 year old has had it twice (confirmed by pcr), 9 months apart. Everyone else in the family has had it once, and never at the same time...

TractorAndHeadphones · 03/12/2021 20:04

Twice here.
First time April 2020 tested positive asymptomatique.
Second time July 2021 symptoms included sore throat, fever, ansomnia.
FT WFH. First time is a mystery as I hadn’t been anywhere other than to essential shops, on foot. Second time however was probably public transport

sweetpaws · 03/12/2021 20:05

Reinfection is worrying me so much, I had covid last month, I'm still not right, weak and exhausted and constant coughing with a horrible painful chesty cough - I don't think my body can't take reinfection with omicron right now. I'm just praying whatever immunity I've got from my jabs and natural infection so recently will be enough Sad

Justanothermam · 03/12/2021 20:09

@guineapigs

I only know people who have had it once. I haven't had it yet.
Same here
trumpisagit · 03/12/2021 20:10

DS1 has never tested positive despite being repeatedly exposed, friends, parties, confirmed sitting next to in double lessons, long car journeys with someone who tested positive the next day in the car etc.
I wonder why some people don't catch it, whereas others get it twice.