General Practice Questions Pulmonologist

Can I catch Covid again?

I had Covid about a month ago and the doctor told me that I wouldn’t be able to catch it again for 3 months. I just need assurance.

Male | 32 years old
Medications: None
Conditions: Anxiety

2 Answers

Unfortunately, COVID has proven to be a much more complicated infection than we could have imagined at its onset. Due to the rapid mutations and waves of outbreaks we've seen, it has become nearly impossible to make broad statements about how the virus affects us or is treated. Based on what experts around the world have observed, there is no way to be
assured that one could not contract COVID again within three months. We make antibodies to COVID which remain with us for years, but if you were potentially exposed to a new strain of the virus in a few months, it is entirely possible to get sick again--but the risk is very low.

I would suggest getting back into the swing of your life and observe the precautions recommended by the CDC and/or your local health department. Avoid contact with symptomatic individuals. Do not repeat any COVID testing unless you develop more symptoms or are directed to do so by a physician or health department--these studies could remain positive for more than six months and would not change any of these suggestions for you. If you have not been vaccinated, you should most definitely do so.

Take care!
Once you have had COVID infection you might. It get reinfected right away if you have a good immune system, but if the strain changes ( like delta to omicron) you can get reinfected. The one thing that definitely protects you is the vaccine. So if you are fully vaccinated you are protected.