Viruses like the one that causes COVID-19 can change and mutate, causing new variants or strains of the virus to circulate. These new variants can increase your risk of reinfection.

“Having one infection doesn’t prevent you from contracting COVID-19 [multiple times], especially with new variants,” says Kinzi Shewmake, M.D., a Piedmont family medicine physician.

It’s also possible to get a breakthrough infection if you’re fully vaccinated, though vaccination reduces your risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization and death.

“Typically, viruses get smarter with time,” she says. “But I have faith we’ll also get smarter with time to stay a step ahead of it.”

Researchers are currently studying:

• Who’s at high risk for reinfection

• How soon you can get reinfected after a previous infection

• How serious reinfections are compared to first infections

• The risk of transmission to others if you contract the virus a second time

• How often do reinfections happen

Does vaccine immunity diminish with time?

Immunity from natural infection or the COVID-19 vaccines can decrease over time, leaving you vulnerable to infection. That’s why staying up to date with your vaccines and boosters is essential.

“The vaccines and recommended boosters are the best protection against contracting severe COVID-19 or dying,” Dr. Shewmake says.

It’s not too late to get your COVID-19 vaccine

If you haven’t been vaccinated, Dr. Shewmake says it’s not too late. Research indicates that immunity from vaccines may last longer than immunity from infection.

“My patients who are vaccinated have milder symptoms and a shorter duration of illness compared to those who are unvaccinated,” she says.

If you’ve been vaccinated, getting your booster will help support your immune system.

“With each surge, many people think it won’t happen again, but the surges keep repeating themselves,” says Dr. Shewmake. “Getting boosted is one area we can definitely improve upon in this fight against the virus. The booster reminds your body how to fight.”

Reduce your risk of COVID-19 reinfection

To reduce your risk of reinfection, Dr. Shewmake recommends to:

• Get vaccinated and boosted.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Follow mask and social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What will COVID-19 look like in the future?

While the virus that causes COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere, experts are hopeful it’ll become something we can live with.

“I’m hopeful that, with time, we’ll become better at treating COVID and preventing complications, similar to the way we do with influenza,” Dr. Shewmake says. “I have confidence in science that we’ll get there one day.”

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