Getting second covid infection while still having long covid symptoms

[backatschool]

Anyone been in this situation? I had covid quite badly, pleurisy, costochondritis, lung function down to 50%, had two courses of high dose steroids and the worst is now over 6 weeks later. I do still have symptoms though - breathless, fatigue, headaches and have an inhaler for the first time in my life. Worth noting I live abroad in a country which still has measures in place. I'm about to do loads of travelling for work, big meetings etc to Europe - and am a little nervous about catching covid a second time and the impact it would have while I still have symptoms from the first time! Possibly worrying about nothing as I'm sure I still have good immunity but wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation and what the second infection was like - did it put you back to square one for example?

For more context, late 40s, very fit and healthy prior to this, distance runner etc, and no I shouldn't really be travelling to the extent I will be, but I genuinely thought I'd be better by now and keep thinking I'm on the mend then it comes back in a big wave of feeling rubbish...

I have never had Covid (knowingly) but as someone who has lived with CFS for a very long time, the problem was always trying to carry on as normal when I encountered coughs and colds....I got away with it for many years but then pushed too far and now am chronically ill and unwell to work. For anyone in your position, the biggest piece of advice I can give is never try and jump back into full time work commitments when you have been really poorly with anything...if you are still getting waves of exhaustion then it is far better to learn how to pace now, listen to your body and build up your activity slowly. Many people end up with long term issues solely because if you normally manage a full time job, busy family life, regular exercise and have always brushed off bugs easily its hard to suddenly scale back.

@2022calendar thank you for your reply, good advice! I'm just going to try to pace myself while I'm away. Not much I can do about reinfection I guess.

Not the same situation but hopefully this will be of use.

First time with Covid (March 2020) pre vaccines - absolutely floored me for 3 months (heart issues, lung issues, very unwell in bed mostly). It took me approx 18 months to get back to 80% recovered due to ongoing long covid. I am still unable to run properly (i can jog for 10 mins now) but mostly I am OK with some fatigue and lingering stuff. I just caught Covid again 3 weeks ago. Second time was unwell and it was not fun but I have had Covid before plus 2 x Pfizer and it wasn't nearly as bad as round 1. It was like a heavy cold / flu and sick bug rolled into one for me but lasted about a week (where I couldn't do anything really and felt grim) plus another week to feel OK and have some energy again. I am still tired 3 weeks on but NOTHING like round one. So generally more in line with what most people have with Covid. However my advice is if you are still not great / right from round one then take some time off. Covid is a beast. Things like 'breathless and fatigued' mean your body needs time to recover and you need more rest. Do not risk giving yourself long covid by overdoing it.