"While it is not as deadly as it was early in the pandemic, COVID-19 can still result in hospitalizations and even death among older individuals and those with significant comorbidities, such as those with advanced lung, heart, liver or kidney disease and those who are immunocompromised," explains Dr. Jimmy Johannes, MD, a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center.
"We tend to talk more about COVID during flu season because respiratory viruses spread more easily in the colder months," says Dr. Mike Richardson, MD, a family physician. "We continue to see cases and even outbreaks in the spring and summer. It can circulate year-round, but we typically see higher peaks in the fall and winter."
"I often see COVID trigger prolonged breathing issues in people who had asthma earlier in life. This is not just a week or two of symptoms," Dr. Richardson explains. "Recovery can take months. The challenge is that it is hard to predict who will be affected this way. Because of that uncertainty, the best strategy is still to avoid getting infected in the first place."
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This Common Mistake Increases Your Risk of Catching COVID Twice This Season, Doctors Warn
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"Because COVID mutates around our immune response to prior exposure, it is very important to get the best, most up-to-date vaccine for the best protection against infection," explains Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston.
Indeed, a not-new but previously dormant variant, Cicada, is currently under surveillance by the CDC and other major health organizations. The new variant matters, whether you've gotten COVID this season or not.
In fact, JAMA Network Openresearch suggests that reinfection risk is higher among people who remained unvaccinated than in those individuals who rolled up their sleeves.
Your primary care doctor can advise you on the best frequency for COVID-19 boosters based on your health and risk factors.
There's a lot of information about the COVID-19 vaccine, but not all of it is science-based. "Avoid falling for social media rumors or trusting websites that do not have reliable scientific backing, as they might provide false information," Dr. Dasgupta says.
The CDCWorld Health Organization (WHO)Your local health department
"Primary care doctors and pharmacists can also help provide more personalized, evidence-based guidance," Dr. Dasgupta adds.
Other Ways To Protect Yourself and Others From COVID (Re)Infections
Doctors say a multi-layered approach is still best for avoiding COVID-19 infections and reinfections (and protecting your community). Besides staying up to date on vaccinations, doctors advise people to:
Wash your hands. Dr. Johannes calls good hand hygiene "probably the most practical and reliable way to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 infection."Get tested. Dr. Johannes suggests getting tested if you suspect you have COVID-19, especially if you're at a higher risk for severe illness, such as because of your age or underlying conditions. "Testing for COVID-19 early and seeking treatment with an antiviral treatment, such as Paxlovid, can reduce the severity of illness and reduce the risk of complications or hospitalization," Dr. Johannes says.Stay home if you're sick. Remember, we're all on the same team. Sometimes, you need to return to a life that isn't normal to protect others. "Don’t ignore early symptoms and continue normal activities, spend extended time in enclosed spaces when transmission risk is high or return to work or social settings too soon when you are still symptomatic and have a fever," Dr. Richardson says.Up Next:
Related: These Are the Most Common COVID-19 Cicada Variant Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Now
Sources:
Dr. Mike Richardson, MD. a family physicianDr. Jimmy Johannes, MD, a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical CenterDr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the Memorial Hermann Health System in HoustonDr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, the chief medical advisor for SleepopolisEarly Detection and Surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2 — Worldwide, November 2024–February 2026. CDC.Effectiveness Associated With Vaccination After COVID-19 Recovery in Preventing Reinfection. JAMA Network Open.Hence then, the article about the common mistake that increases your risk of catching covid twice this season was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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