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First COVID-19 Reinfection in U.S.

First Case of COVID-19 Reinfection in the United States

    Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to become infected with the coronavirus more than once. This summer, the United States experienced its first case of COVID-19 reinfection and fifth case worldwide. The four other reinfection cases occurred in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ecuador. A recent study published on October 12, 2020 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, presents a detailed case report and discussion of the American individual who experienced two separate COVID-19 infections.

    About the Patient

    The reinfected patient was a 25 year old male from Washoe County, Nevada. The patient first tested positive for COVID-19 on April 18, 2020 with mild symptoms (sore throat, cough, headache, nausea, and diarrhea) beginning in April. He had no underlying conditions or indications of a compromised immune system. The patient recovered after 9 days but began experiencing more severe symptoms (fever, headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and shortness of breath) late May. The patient was given oxygen and tested positive for COVID-19 again on June 5, 2020. He has since recovered. 

Timeline of Symptom Onset
Timeline of Symptom Onset

    Increased symptom severity in reinfection only occurred in the United States and Belgium whereas cases from the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Ecuador showed no difference in symptom severity. Researchers believe the more severe symptoms during second infection may be a result of 3 different situations. First, the patient could have had a higher viral dose in the secondary infection. Second, the version of the virus in reinfection could have been more virulent, or harmful in its effects on the patient. Third, antibodies developed from initial infection may have made secondary infection worse. This instance has been seen previously with SARS-CoV2 betacoronaviruses.

Implications

    The study suggests that possible variations of the virus could decrease the efficacy of developing vaccines. A vaccine developed for one version of the virus may not be effective against another version of the virus. However, further research needs to be conducted before conclusions can be made. 

    This incidence of reinfection also shows that it is possible for people who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 to be infected again. As a result, those who have been infected with COVID-19 should continue to take serious hygienic precautions as well as social distance and wear masks. Getting the coronavirus once and recovering from infection doesn't make you invincible or immune to reinfection.

Sources

1. Tillett RL, Sevinsky JR, Hartley PD, et al. Genomic evidence for reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: a case study. Lancet Infect Dis. Published online October 12 2020. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30764-7

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