Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, means an individual was infected, recovered, and then later became infected again. An individual can be reinfected multiple times. Reinfections are most often mild, but severe illness can occur. People who are reinfected can also spread the virus to others. Staying up to date with vaccines and starting treatment within days after developing symptoms decrease a person’s risk of experiencing severe illness from reinfection.
After infection with SARS-CoV-2, people’s immune systems respond to protect them from SARS-CoV-2, including by creating antibodies. This immune response can provide a high level of protection against infection with the same or other SARS-CoV-2 variants for several months, but this protection decreases over time. People with weakened immune systems may have a limited or even no immune response after infection. Protection against severe COVID-19 illness generally lasts longer than protection against SARS-CoV-2 infections in general.
As the virus evolves, new variants with the ability to evade a person’s existing immunity can appear and lead to an increased risk for reinfection. Reinfections may occur during the first 90 days, and as early as several weeks after the previous infection, although this does not happen frequently. This risk of early reinfection may increase when new variants emerge.
Reinfections will occur more frequently as the number of people with a history of prior infection increases and immunity from prior infection or vaccination decreases over time. Reinfections are a common feature of many respiratory viruses.
COVID-19 Testing for People with a Recent History of Infection
While testing is easy, interpreting the test results in the first 90 days after a previous infection can be challenging. CDC has developed testing guidance explaining which type of test people should take under different circumstances.
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are typically more sensitive than antigen tests, however, they are not recommended to test for a new infection when someone has been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 within the past 90 days. This is because people can still test positive using a NAAT for several weeks after their infection, even when they are no longer infectious or experiencing symptoms. This makes it difficult to determine whether a positive test using a NAAT indicates a new infection. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days and are testing for a possible new infection (i.e., reinfection), consider using an antigen test or consulting a healthcare provider.
Protecting Yourself and Others – What You Can Do
If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, you should follow exposure guidance, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. For those who have previously been infected, vaccination offers added protection, especially against reinfection leading to hospitalization. CDC recommends that people ages 6 months and older, including those with previous infections, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19-specific treatments and prescription medications are available for those eligible, regardless of vaccination status or if they have had a previous infection. People with symptomatic COVID-19 and risk factors that make them more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, should start treatment as soon as possible, regardless of whether they have had a previous infection. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, visit a Test to Treat location or contact your local community health center or health department.
What CDC is doing
We continue to learn more about reinfections, especially as new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge.
CDC is working with multiple partners and using a range of data sources to better understand important knowledge gaps about reinfections, including:
- who is at higher risk of reinfection, especially those leading to hospitalization;
- how soon reinfections take place after a previous infection;
- how severe reinfections are compared to initial infections; and
- is reinfection associated with risk of poorer outcomes or complications in acute or long covid phase
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