As the U.S. approaches another season for respiratory viruses, many Americans are expected to come into contact with COVID-19 again.

For some, this may not be their first encounter, as many people might already be experiencing their second, third, or even fourth infection. So, what can you expect this time?

According to health professionals, the severity of your next COVID-19 infection relies on various personal and environmental factors, such as your age, any existing health conditions, vaccination status, and the variants currently in circulation.

“There is truly no way to predict with certainty how a reinfection will go,” commented Raynard Washington, the health department director for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents health departments across the country.

Here are some key points to consider regarding repeated COVID infections as we head into the fall and winter seasons.

What COVID Symptoms to Expect After Reinfection

The most frequently reported symptoms of COVID-19 infection include fever, coughing, body aches, and a sore throat, as stated by Dr. Robert Hopkins, Jr., medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Some individuals also experience symptoms like diarrhea and tiredness, but other early pandemic symptoms, such as the loss of taste and smell, have become less common.

This change is largely attributed to the evolution of the virus, according to health experts. The current variants contain genetic differences that may cause some symptoms to manifest while others do not.

The variety and intensity of symptoms can also depend on an individual’s immunity. For example, a young and healthy person who is fully vaccinated and has had previous infections is likely to experience a milder illness during subsequent infections. Nonetheless, this is not the case for everyone.

Others who get reinfected may be at a higher risk. Hopkins remarked that severe cases are more common among unvaccinated individuals, older adults, those with weakened immune systems, or individuals with multiple chronic diseases.

“Yet, we are also seeing severe infections in individuals who are unexpectedly young and generally healthy,” he added. “Despite our desire to predict, we truly lack reliable indicators.”

Repeated Infections and Long COVID

Some research indicates that Americans are less likely to develop long COVID from the omicron variant compared to earlier virus strains from the pandemic.

This insight is not definitive since newer variants have not existed long enough for firm conclusions. However, Hopkins warned that with each reinfection, there remains a risk of developing long COVID.

“With more infections comes an increasing risk,” he explained. “Repeated infections don’t lead to a lower risk.”

Research shows that COVID-19 vaccinations can lower the likelihood of developing long COVID, so health authorities advise Americans to get the updated vaccine when it is available this fall.

Importance of Vaccination

The FDA has recently approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine aimed at the omicron variant KP.2 strain for both Moderna’s Spikevax and Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccines, which utilize messenger RNA technology.

As the virus continues to mutate, Washington stated, “It’s important to keep our immune systems updated, just like updating our smartphones.” You want the latest updates to safeguard your phone’s functionality.

This June, the CDC recommended the new vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older. Major pharmacy chains are anticipating the arrival of vaccine shipments at their stores shortly.

Alongside the benefit of reducing long COVID risk, health professionals emphasize that getting vaccinated also lowers the chances of developing severe symptoms that could result in hospitalization or death.

“The remarkable effectiveness of these vaccines lies in their ability to lessen illness severity and save lives,” Washington remarked. “These vaccines arm us to give our bodies the best chance at recovering from the virus.”