The COVID-19 pandemic has entered its third year. From scrambling for masks at first, to vaccination, mastering rapid antigen tests, and now control measures are being eased by governments worldwide, the pandemic is still ongoing and evolving. Fortunately, we have evolved with it too and now get a better grasp of the virus.
In fact, the key to safeguarding health in whatever phase of the pandemic is to seek truth and knowledge. As the pandemic evolves, new terms such as ‘re-positivity’, ‘re-infections’, ‘long COVID’ and ‘bivalent vaccines’ have recently attracted great public attention. Some of them have even become leading keywords. So, how much do you know about them? In this article, I will address some common questions about these terms as well as related health topics.
Are recovered COVID patients really invincible?
Recovered patients in the short time after their infection have a low chance of getting infected with COVID again.
However, don’t think you are invincible just because you had been infected. As the body’s immune responses to different virus strains vary and the virus continues to mutate, recent re-infection rates in the community have exhibited a rising trend. Therefore, whether you had previously been infected or not, you should keep up your anti-infection measures to protect yourself and the people around you.
What is the difference between ‘re-positivity’ and ‘re-infections’?
‘Re-positivity’ refers to nucleic acid tests in which residual parts of the COVID-19 virus are found. In general, it does not mean getting infected with COVID again. ‘Re-infections’ means the patient has been infected twice with the same, or more commonly, different virus strains, and displayed symptoms.
For example, a patient who had been infected with the original COVID strain now catches the XBB variant. This can be identified as a case of re-inflection.
Will we be infected by the same virus strain again?
Generally speaking, that probability is fairly low. However, if the patient’s own immune system has issues or is taking special medicine that weakens the body’s immune system, there is a likelihood of getting infected with the same virus strain.
What should I do if I continue to cough after testing negative?
Though turning negative in screening means the virus has subsided, the upper respiratory tract mucosa could already have been damaged and would take more time to recover.
At this time, recovered patients may find their throat itchy, swollen and in pain with a lot of secretion and phlegm. I suggest everyone, even if you have recovered, avoid going to karaoke too soon or speak loudly, to prevent damage to the vocal cord and throat. Drinking more warm honey water or diluted saline during this time can also ease discomfort.
How to ascertain whether I have ‘Long COVID’?
Typical symptoms of ‘Long COVID’ include fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, chest discomfort, pain in joints, or even brain fogs.
If symptoms emerge three months after infection and last more than two months, with all other possible differential diagnoses being excluded, this could be ‘Long COVID’. However, I also urge everyone not to panic and to seek doctors’ professional advice if needed.
What is a bivalent vaccine? Who is eligible for that?
Due to the continuous mutation of the COVID-19 virus, the protection we need also evolve over time. Looking back at 2020 and 2021, the vaccines we received mainly target the original virus strain. As the more transmissible Omicron variant emerged in 2022, bivalent vaccines were therefore developed to target the recent variants.
Currently, only two types of people are eligible for the government’s bivalent vaccination, including firstly, people who have received three doses of Sinovac’s or BioNTech’s original type vaccine, and secondly, recovered individuals who have received two doses of Sinovac’s or BioNTech’s original type vaccine*. As such, people who have never been vaccinated are not suitable for bivalent vaccines.
Stay up to date in the pandemic
As various places gradually lifted travel restrictions and eased anti-infection controls, everyone has resumed their normal way of life and started travelling again.
However, COVID is still active and will continue to mutate. Therefore, wherever you are, you should keep an eye on pandemic developments and relevant information of vaccines to safeguard the health of yourself and your family.
Watch the clip and learn more about ‘re-positivity’, ‘re-infections’, ‘long COVID’ and ‘bivalent vaccines’.
*For the latest vaccination information, please refer to the government’s announcements for accuracy.
The above content is reviewed by Dr Alexander Chiu - Chief Medical Officer of AXA Hong Kong and Macau.
Information and materials provided is general in nature and does not constitute medical or health advice from AXA Hong Kong and is on an “as is” and “as-available” basis without representation and/or warranty of any kind, either express or implied. While AXA Hong Kong has taken reasonable care in providing such information and materials, they are not specific to your investment objective, financial situation, health or medical conditions or particular needs. No warranty or responsibility is assumed by AXA Hong Kong and our related or holding companies regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, reasonableness, fitness for a purpose or free from computer viruses in connection with the information and materials provided. AXA Hong Kong and our related companies and holding companies do not accept any liability for any loss, damage, cost or other expense, whether wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, arising from any error, inaccuracy or omission of the information and materials to the extent that such liability is not excluded by law.
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