Can you get long COVID if it's your third+ infection?

[FluffyPenLid]

If you've had it before, and have had 4 jabs, is it less likely you're going to get long covid? Does it normally strike on 1st infection if you're going to get it? TIA

I thought you could get it on any infection - it's a numbers game. Hope you're ok OP.

You can get it after any infection - roughly a 10% chance per infection (unrelated to how many you’ve had before)

It’s more likely after a moderate/serious case (ie if you have required hospital treatment) but it occurs after mild cases too.

Think of your odds as being like rolling a 10-sided dice. The unlucky number might never come up for you, but you’re running that risk each time you roll the dice.

At a population level, this is bad news

Yep, 1 in 10 infections leads to long covid as advised by the World Health Organisation. There has been some research and discussion that every COVID infection causes some damage, so that long COVID risk could increase with every infection. Hope you’re ok OP. Best advice there is at the moment is to rest and rest.

It's more likely after your third infection. Cumulative risk.

I'm vaccinated and I had Covid three times. The last time in October. I have long Covid, same as the first time (extreme fatigue, digestive issues, eye issues, joint pain, etc...). It didn't happen after the 2nd infection ,though.

Thanks all - helpful to know, anyway. I think I've had my head in the sand somewhat....
@Mandarina4 sorry to hear that and hope you're OK. Was it less bad the second time you got the long covid? Hopefully, the vaccines will have taken the edge off.

@FluffyPenLid The first one wasn't too bad (before vaccines). The 2nd one was mild but the 3rd was pretty bad. For the first time I couldn't breathe and I got heart inflammation, the worst so far. It's funny because I'm never sick, never catch the flu or colds, never need antibiotics, etc... but Covid hits me so hard.

Oh I'm sorry - that sounds rough.

Correct, risk does increase with each infection. I've got covid now myself, it's an absolute bastard. Tested myself on day 3 of symptoms and the positive line appeared instantly.

My mum just had covid 5 weeks ago, but I'm staying with her and she now appears to be starting to show symptoms. Wtf, that fast to be reinfected? We're both recently vaccinated as well - I know it doesn't prevent you catching it, just keeps you out of hospital for the most part - but I'm surprised to have it not long after a vaccine.

Apparently with the latest variants floating around, the gap between two distinct infections (not just never clearing the first completely) can be as little as 28 days

Some countries are reintroducing masks into healthcare settings.

Others are creaking - Italian hospitals are badly under strain.

Winter pressures here will all of course be blamed on the government. And yes we could and should be entering the winter virus season in better shape. But I'm not sure that's a good reason to make it even worse by de-prioritising infection control

It sounds like we could do with more than one booster every year. Is anyone getting them more frequently than that?

The critically vulnerable (severely immune suppressed) got a spring booster plus the over 75s. This is the group that get two shots last year.

A longer list of CEV (and household members of the critically vulnerable) and over 65s get the autumn one

It seems crazy there isn't an option to buy the vaccine

Yes, I know a couple of people who bounced back from first couple of infections (oh it's just like a head cold, why are you so worried) and are now almost housebound after infection 3. It seems to be cumulative for some people.

I have severe long covid after my second infection 6 months ago.

l never ever have colds or things like that but Covid has wiped me out.

I've had it 4 times, and since September (4th bout) have had campylobacter, two chest infections, tonsillitis and a UTI. It has really played havoc with my immune system.