About the author:
Dr. Wang Jin, an American infectious disease expert, has been working on the front line since the epidemic. He has faced the new crown for three years. He has rich experience in diagnosis and treatment, while protecting himself and his family.
In addition, Dr. Wang has been providing the latest information and progress to doctors in other specialties, and has provided popular science lectures to the community many times.
During the epidemic, she used her professional knowledge and love to help countless people.
Wang Jin Physician
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, United States
The cold winter of 2022 has just begun, and the new coronavirus Omiclonal variant suddenly descended like a downpour, and everyone has to face the new coronavirus head-on to one degree or another. In this issue of
, we asked Dr. Wang to share with you how to deal with the peak of the epidemic in daily life? How to protect yourself and your family?
Omi clone variant
First of all, we need to understand the super contagious upper respiratory tract virus we are facing. Starting in 2022, the new coronavirus strains circulating around the world belong to the Omicron family. The mutant strains of the Omiclone family are also evolving every few months. Currently, the most popular ones in Europe and the United States are BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are evolved from BA.4 and BA.5. The BF.7 strain currently prevalent in Beijing and the main strain BA.5.2 in Guangzhou are derived from this branch. The strains prevalent in Southeast Asia are mainly XBB strains that further evolved from BA.2.75 in India. See Figure 1 below.
Figure 1. Evolutionary tree of Omiclonal virus mutant strains
The biggest feature of these different mutant strains, , is that they have increasingly stronger immune evasion. That is to say, in the past three years, when most people around the world have developed antibodies to the new coronavirus, the new coronavirus has been constantly changing in order to occupy the infection market, in an attempt to infect people who have been infected or have received the vaccine . At present, the most immune evasive viruses are BQ1.1 and XBB. BA.5 and BF.7 pale in comparison to these two strains. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Immune evasion ability of Omicron mutant strains
(Quote: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01135-7/figures/6)
Performance after infection with Omicron clones
There are differences in the clinical manifestations of the current infection with the new coronavirus Omicron mutant strain and the 2020 Wuhan new coronavirus infection.
First of all, has a shorter incubation period than previous strains, is about 2-3 days.
Secondly, is a live virus that spreads for a long time, and is close to 8 days. It spreads faster and longer than previous strains, making it more contagious.
In addition, in terms of symptoms, it is more like cold-like symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, and it is a severe cold. Even if many people do not need to be hospitalized and receive oxygen, they still experience various very uncomfortable symptoms. Including high fever that lasts for several days, severe sore throat, aphonia , severe cough, etc. Everyone can have different symptoms. The severity of these upper respiratory tract infection symptoms is not necessarily directly related to the patient's basic immunity. In people who have not been vaccinated against the new coronavirus or have never been infected, it can still cause pneumonia and critical infections. Loss of taste or smell is less likely to occur with Omicron than with earlier strains of the virus. When patients have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, sore throat and muscle aches, they generally carry a relatively high viral load , which means they are highly contagious. If the new coronavirus infection progresses, it will trigger a systemic immune response, leading to pneumonia usually in the second week of illness, even if some people show signs of improvement initially. Therefore, for high-risk groups without immunity , it is necessary to closely observe the patient's symptoms and blood oxygen levels in the two weeks after getting sick.
After being infected with COVID-19, there are slight differences in the time between the emergence of symptoms, the activity and infectivity of the virus, the positive test results, and the production process of antibodies.As shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. The relationship between COVID-19 test results and viral infectivity (Citation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp2117115)
The infectivity of the patient can be roughly inferred based on the positive antigen test. Generally, after the antigen test turns negative twice (tested 24 hours apart), the patient's infectivity is very low and the patient can no longer be isolated. Specific antibodies produced by the human body in response to COVID-19 infection generally begin to be produced slowly 1-2 weeks after infection. IgM generally reaches its peak after 3 weeks, and IgG antibody lasts longer. For people with normal immune function and , IgG can last for at least 6 to 9 months. The human body can also produce cellular immune function, which lasts for 6-9 months and plays a very important role in reducing severe mortality after reinfection.
Compared with previous virus strains, the severe mortality rate caused by Omicron clone infection has dropped significantly around the world. The current severity rate of is about 1%, and the fatality rate is between 0.1-0.5%. However, its spread among the population is very widespread. Especially the spread among children has increased significantly compared with previous strains. Fortunately it has a very low mortality rate from severe disease in children. But children can be a very common source of household infections.
Protection of high-risk groups
At present, the most important thing is to protect high-risk groups in the family. Who are the high-risk groups?
Figure 4 lists various high-risk health factors for us. We can see that high blood pressure , obesity, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (including diabetes ) all constitute relatively large risk factors in adults. Pregnant women and first-time mothers are also a common high-risk factor. In children, moderate to severe asthma and obesity are relatively important high-risk factors.
Figure 4. Statistics on chronic disease types of all severe COVID-19 patients in the United States from March 2020 to August 2022
(Citation: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#covidnet-hospitalization-network)
Another very important high-risk factor is age. The mortality rate of severe COVID-19 infection among the elderly is much higher than that among young people. Figure 5 compares the severe mortality rates at different age groups and the 18-29 age group. The mortality rate in the 60-75 age group is already 60 times that of young people. The COVID-19 mortality rate for people over 85 years old is 340 times that of young people!
Figure 5. Comparison of severe mortality in different age groups and the 18-29 age group
(Citation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html)
Therefore, in the new coronavirus epidemic, the protection of high-risk groups is the key to reducing the overall severe mortality. High-risk groups need to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wear masks correctly, and maintain social distance. For high-risk groups, the most common source of infection comes from their family members. Therefore, for families where young and old live together, other low-risk family members must also be vaccinated in time and protected to protect high-risk groups in the family. During severe epidemic times, if you need to visit high-risk family members, you should avoid eating together. Also try to wear a mask when visiting. If you need to eat together, consider taking an antigen test before your visit.
High-risk groups must be closely observed once they are infected with the new coronavirus. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection in many elderly people are very secretive and atypical. They can develop pneumonia without a cough or fever, but only with changes in consciousness, fatigue, and lethargy. Some elderly people present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, or unexplained rashes. After the elderly are infected with the new coronavirus, their immunity and self-protection functions will be significantly reduced. Various secondary bacterial infections occur, and it is easy to fall, dehydrate, etc. Therefore, high-risk groups should also be particularly careful in their care after illness.
Family COVID-19 Prevention Measures
In the face of the epidemic, each of our families should make the following preparations: In addition to preparing N95 masks and ordinary medical masks, gloves, and disinfection supplies, it is also very helpful to prepare finger clip oximeter and thermometer. It would be better if there is blood pressure monitor .Also prepare basic fever-reducing drugs (such as Tylenol, Motrin, ibuprofen ) and cough medicine at home.
masks, N95 or KN95 masks need to be used in high-risk and dense crowd environments. In ordinary circumstances, use ordinary medical masks. Cloth masks offer little protection against Omicron infection. For Omicron strains, the protective effect of masks is already relatively limited. The protective efficiency of ordinary medical masks against Omicron virus infection has been reduced to only reducing the chance of infection by about 20%. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that you are not infected by relying solely on ordinary masks in a closed room, especially when the virus density is very high or the exposure time is long.
At home, we also try to maintain a clean and virus-free environment. How can you avoid bringing viruses circulating in your community into your home?
The first step we recommend is to separate a contaminated area in your home. As shown in Figure 6. A special area may be designated as a "contamination zone" using tape or special signage. Generally choose a location near the entrance, or on the balcony or garage. Place the following items in the contaminated area:
A hook for dirty coats
A trash can
An area for shoes used outside
Some hooks for hanging masks you want to recycle
Disinfectant paper towels or disinfectant liquid
Hand sanitizer
Figure 6. Division and configuration of contaminated areas in the home
If we need to work in a high-risk environment during the epidemic and may come into contact with various positive or people who may be positive, how should we protect ourselves from being infected?
First of all, it is recommended to remove watches and jewelry before going to work, and comb hair away from the face. Wear clothes to work that are easy to clean in the washing machine. Cut your nails promptly and wash your hands frequently. Clean the environment before eating in the work environment and avoid eating with high-risk groups or people you do not know. Disinfect objects and hands before and after using shared items (such as computer keyboards, phones, etc.). Change your workplace clothes immediately after returning home and put them in a contaminated area or bag. If you leave shoes for outdoor use in contaminated areas or in the car after returning home, consider disinfecting and wiping the surface. Disinfect and wipe your cell phone, work badge, glasses, keys, etc. Take a shower immediately after returning home, rinse your mouth, and consider cleaning your nasal passages. Wash and dry clothes regularly. Also remember to take at least one hour a day to relax and maintain your mental health.
Timely vaccination against COVID-19 has always been a key means to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.
If possible, should get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, no matter which vaccine it is or which vaccine it is. Because it takes at least 1-2 weeks after vaccination to produce effective protective antibodies. With the rapid expansion of the epidemic, it is very important to be prepared in time. If it has been more than 6 months since the last vaccination, you should also get vaccinated again. Because generally, the effective protection time generated by previous infection or vaccination is about 4-6 months. If you have a choice, choose a reliable booster vaccine. How to judge whether it is reliable or not? I usually judge based on published research articles. Among domestic vaccines, based on published research results, I prefer Zhifei’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine, CanSino inhaled vaccine, or Clover recombinant protein vaccine . Compared with intramuscular vaccines, the advantage of oral inhalation vaccines is that they can produce specific IgA antibodies on the mucosal surface, which can reduce infection.
What should I do if I am infected with COVID-19?
If there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 around you or someone has typical symptoms:
Enter home isolation immediately. Wear masks inside the home, maintain ventilation in the home, and eat separately. Pay attention to disinfection of common areas and facilities. If possible, use separate rooms and bathrooms (especially for high-risk groups).
Observe each family member’s temperature closely (take it twice a day, morning and evening, or any time you feel chills or fever) and record it.
About the author:
Dr. Wang Jin, an American infectious disease expert, has been working on the front line since the epidemic. He has faced the new crown for three years. He has rich experience in diagnosis and treatment, while protecting himself and his family.
In addition, Dr. Wang has been providing the latest information and progress to doctors in other specialties, and has provided popular science lectures to the community many times.
During the epidemic, she used her professional knowledge and love to help countless people.
Wang Jin Physician
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, United States
The cold winter of 2022 has just begun, and the new coronavirus Omiclonal variant suddenly descended like a downpour, and everyone has to face the new coronavirus head-on to one degree or another. In this issue of
, we asked Dr. Wang to share with you how to deal with the peak of the epidemic in daily life? How to protect yourself and your family?
Omi clone variant
First of all, we need to understand the super contagious upper respiratory tract virus we are facing. Starting in 2022, the new coronavirus strains circulating around the world belong to the Omicron family. The mutant strains of the Omiclone family are also evolving every few months. Currently, the most popular ones in Europe and the United States are BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are evolved from BA.4 and BA.5. The BF.7 strain currently prevalent in Beijing and the main strain BA.5.2 in Guangzhou are derived from this branch. The strains prevalent in Southeast Asia are mainly XBB strains that further evolved from BA.2.75 in India. See Figure 1 below.
Figure 1. Evolutionary tree of Omiclonal virus mutant strains
The biggest feature of these different mutant strains, , is that they have increasingly stronger immune evasion. That is to say, in the past three years, when most people around the world have developed antibodies to the new coronavirus, the new coronavirus has been constantly changing in order to occupy the infection market, in an attempt to infect people who have been infected or have received the vaccine . At present, the most immune evasive viruses are BQ1.1 and XBB. BA.5 and BF.7 pale in comparison to these two strains. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Immune evasion ability of Omicron mutant strains
(Quote: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01135-7/figures/6)
Performance after infection with Omicron clones
There are differences in the clinical manifestations of the current infection with the new coronavirus Omicron mutant strain and the 2020 Wuhan new coronavirus infection.
First of all, has a shorter incubation period than previous strains, is about 2-3 days.
Secondly, is a live virus that spreads for a long time, and is close to 8 days. It spreads faster and longer than previous strains, making it more contagious.
In addition, in terms of symptoms, it is more like cold-like symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, and it is a severe cold. Even if many people do not need to be hospitalized and receive oxygen, they still experience various very uncomfortable symptoms. Including high fever that lasts for several days, severe sore throat, aphonia , severe cough, etc. Everyone can have different symptoms. The severity of these upper respiratory tract infection symptoms is not necessarily directly related to the patient's basic immunity. In people who have not been vaccinated against the new coronavirus or have never been infected, it can still cause pneumonia and critical infections. Loss of taste or smell is less likely to occur with Omicron than with earlier strains of the virus. When patients have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, sore throat and muscle aches, they generally carry a relatively high viral load , which means they are highly contagious. If the new coronavirus infection progresses, it will trigger a systemic immune response, leading to pneumonia usually in the second week of illness, even if some people show signs of improvement initially. Therefore, for high-risk groups without immunity , it is necessary to closely observe the patient's symptoms and blood oxygen levels in the two weeks after getting sick.
After being infected with COVID-19, there are slight differences in the time between the emergence of symptoms, the activity and infectivity of the virus, the positive test results, and the production process of antibodies.As shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. The relationship between COVID-19 test results and viral infectivity (Citation: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp2117115)
The infectivity of the patient can be roughly inferred based on the positive antigen test. Generally, after the antigen test turns negative twice (tested 24 hours apart), the patient's infectivity is very low and the patient can no longer be isolated. Specific antibodies produced by the human body in response to COVID-19 infection generally begin to be produced slowly 1-2 weeks after infection. IgM generally reaches its peak after 3 weeks, and IgG antibody lasts longer. For people with normal immune function and , IgG can last for at least 6 to 9 months. The human body can also produce cellular immune function, which lasts for 6-9 months and plays a very important role in reducing severe mortality after reinfection.
Compared with previous virus strains, the severe mortality rate caused by Omicron clone infection has dropped significantly around the world. The current severity rate of is about 1%, and the fatality rate is between 0.1-0.5%. However, its spread among the population is very widespread. Especially the spread among children has increased significantly compared with previous strains. Fortunately it has a very low mortality rate from severe disease in children. But children can be a very common source of household infections.
Protection of high-risk groups
At present, the most important thing is to protect high-risk groups in the family. Who are the high-risk groups?
Figure 4 lists various high-risk health factors for us. We can see that high blood pressure , obesity, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (including diabetes ) all constitute relatively large risk factors in adults. Pregnant women and first-time mothers are also a common high-risk factor. In children, moderate to severe asthma and obesity are relatively important high-risk factors.
Figure 4. Statistics on chronic disease types of all severe COVID-19 patients in the United States from March 2020 to August 2022
(Citation: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#covidnet-hospitalization-network)
Another very important high-risk factor is age. The mortality rate of severe COVID-19 infection among the elderly is much higher than that among young people. Figure 5 compares the severe mortality rates at different age groups and the 18-29 age group. The mortality rate in the 60-75 age group is already 60 times that of young people. The COVID-19 mortality rate for people over 85 years old is 340 times that of young people!
Figure 5. Comparison of severe mortality in different age groups and the 18-29 age group
(Citation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-age.html)
Therefore, in the new coronavirus epidemic, the protection of high-risk groups is the key to reducing the overall severe mortality. High-risk groups need to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wear masks correctly, and maintain social distance. For high-risk groups, the most common source of infection comes from their family members. Therefore, for families where young and old live together, other low-risk family members must also be vaccinated in time and protected to protect high-risk groups in the family. During severe epidemic times, if you need to visit high-risk family members, you should avoid eating together. Also try to wear a mask when visiting. If you need to eat together, consider taking an antigen test before your visit.
High-risk groups must be closely observed once they are infected with the new coronavirus. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection in many elderly people are very secretive and atypical. They can develop pneumonia without a cough or fever, but only with changes in consciousness, fatigue, and lethargy. Some elderly people present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, or unexplained rashes. After the elderly are infected with the new coronavirus, their immunity and self-protection functions will be significantly reduced. Various secondary bacterial infections occur, and it is easy to fall, dehydrate, etc. Therefore, high-risk groups should also be particularly careful in their care after illness.
Family COVID-19 Prevention Measures
In the face of the epidemic, each of our families should make the following preparations: In addition to preparing N95 masks and ordinary medical masks, gloves, and disinfection supplies, it is also very helpful to prepare finger clip oximeter and thermometer. It would be better if there is blood pressure monitor .Also prepare basic fever-reducing drugs (such as Tylenol, Motrin, ibuprofen ) and cough medicine at home.
masks, N95 or KN95 masks need to be used in high-risk and dense crowd environments. In ordinary circumstances, use ordinary medical masks. Cloth masks offer little protection against Omicron infection. For Omicron strains, the protective effect of masks is already relatively limited. The protective efficiency of ordinary medical masks against Omicron virus infection has been reduced to only reducing the chance of infection by about 20%. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that you are not infected by relying solely on ordinary masks in a closed room, especially when the virus density is very high or the exposure time is long.
At home, we also try to maintain a clean and virus-free environment. How can you avoid bringing viruses circulating in your community into your home?
The first step we recommend is to separate a contaminated area in your home. As shown in Figure 6. A special area may be designated as a "contamination zone" using tape or special signage. Generally choose a location near the entrance, or on the balcony or garage. Place the following items in the contaminated area:
A hook for dirty coats
A trash can
An area for shoes used outside
Some hooks for hanging masks you want to recycle
Disinfectant paper towels or disinfectant liquid
Hand sanitizer
Figure 6. Division and configuration of contaminated areas in the home
If we need to work in a high-risk environment during the epidemic and may come into contact with various positive or people who may be positive, how should we protect ourselves from being infected?
First of all, it is recommended to remove watches and jewelry before going to work, and comb hair away from the face. Wear clothes to work that are easy to clean in the washing machine. Cut your nails promptly and wash your hands frequently. Clean the environment before eating in the work environment and avoid eating with high-risk groups or people you do not know. Disinfect objects and hands before and after using shared items (such as computer keyboards, phones, etc.). Change your workplace clothes immediately after returning home and put them in a contaminated area or bag. If you leave shoes for outdoor use in contaminated areas or in the car after returning home, consider disinfecting and wiping the surface. Disinfect and wipe your cell phone, work badge, glasses, keys, etc. Take a shower immediately after returning home, rinse your mouth, and consider cleaning your nasal passages. Wash and dry clothes regularly. Also remember to take at least one hour a day to relax and maintain your mental health.
Timely vaccination against COVID-19 has always been a key means to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.
If possible, should get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, no matter which vaccine it is or which vaccine it is. Because it takes at least 1-2 weeks after vaccination to produce effective protective antibodies. With the rapid expansion of the epidemic, it is very important to be prepared in time. If it has been more than 6 months since the last vaccination, you should also get vaccinated again. Because generally, the effective protection time generated by previous infection or vaccination is about 4-6 months. If you have a choice, choose a reliable booster vaccine. How to judge whether it is reliable or not? I usually judge based on published research articles. Among domestic vaccines, based on published research results, I prefer Zhifei’s recombinant COVID-19 vaccine, CanSino inhaled vaccine, or Clover recombinant protein vaccine . Compared with intramuscular vaccines, the advantage of oral inhalation vaccines is that they can produce specific IgA antibodies on the mucosal surface, which can reduce infection.
What should I do if I am infected with COVID-19?
If there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 around you or someone has typical symptoms:
Enter home isolation immediately. Wear masks inside the home, maintain ventilation in the home, and eat separately. Pay attention to disinfection of common areas and facilities. If possible, use separate rooms and bathrooms (especially for high-risk groups).
Observe each family member’s temperature closely (take it twice a day, morning and evening, or any time you feel chills or fever) and record it.
Pay close attention to the symptoms of each family member (any fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, chills, sore throat, etc. respiratory infection symptoms).
Once someone shows symptoms, they will be treated immediately as a suspected case or a confirmed case. Children are difficult to isolate and only the lowest-risk adults are left to care for suspected children. If possible, perform an antigen test to diagnose.
Among asymptomatic family members, the most in need of protection are high-risk groups: including elderly people over 65 years old, patients with chronic diseases such as chronic bronchitis , hypertension, diabetes, chronic immune suppression, etc. People at high risk are advised not to babysit children or care for pets. Felines are among the animals most susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
If you yourself develop any COVID-19 symptoms:
Isolate into a separate room immediately. Strict isolation is the most important way to protect your family. The chance of Omicron infection affecting others in the same household is 56%.
Measure body temperature, heart rate , blood pressure , and blood oxygen immediately, and record every result. You can count your heart rate by yourself for one minute. Blood oxygen and blood pressure can be measured if you have equipment. It’s okay if you don’t have one. Test twice a day, or when you feel very unwell.
does COVID-19 testing and diagnosis (nucleic acid or antigen testing). Contact your doctor if you have questions.
When you need to go to the emergency room immediately: when your doctor tells you to go; when you feel that your condition is very serious and you cannot support it; you also have difficulty breathing when going to the toilet or doing very light activities; if the blood oxygen saturation at your fingertips is less than 92% twice; sudden new severe hypotension or high blood pressure; being unable to eat or drink for a long time, etc.
Figure 7 (Citation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/10Things-chinese.pdf)
Early antiviral treatment for COVID-19 infection
Currently, effective drug treatments for COVID-19 include early antiviral treatment. In confirmed patients, antiviral drugs are more effective the earlier they are used. These drugs are prescription drugs that should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Effective drugs that can reduce severe illness and death include Pfizer's oral Paxlovid (nirmatrlvir/ritonavir), Merck's oral Molnupiravir and Gilead's intravenous Remdesivir (People's Hope). The monoclonal antibody drugs currently on the market are no longer effective against the currently circulating mutant strains.
Paxlovid:
Effect:
When used within 3 days of contracting COVID-19, it can reduce severe mortality by about 60-90%
Can reduce viral load 10 times
Reduce the chance of sequelae of COVID-19 by 26%
Indications:
12 Years old, mild COVID-19 symptoms (no hypoxia), medication should be taken within 5 days of onset.
is mainly used for high-risk groups and the elderly, and is not suitable for patients with severe kidney disease.
The domestic antiviral drug Azivudine was approved in July 2022. For moderate COVID-19, the main effect is to improve symptoms and shorten the virus clearance time. It is recommended to take the medication within 9 days of infection. Doctor's guidance is required when using the medication.
Re-infection of the new coronavirus
After getting the new coronavirus, you will still be infected again, and you will be infected multiple times. After the delta, the new coronavirus mutant strains are increasingly developing in the direction of immune evasion. The so-called immune escape is the reinfection of people who have already been infected or vaccinated. Many people have been repeatedly infected in various countries around the world in the past three years. Humans are unable to form a long-lasting and effective herd immunity barrier, so we have to coexist with the new coronavirus for a long time.
The concepts of reinfection and resurgence are different. In many immunosuppressed people, patients cannot effectively clear the virus after being infected with a new coronavirus because the body cannot produce an effective immune response.So they will carry the same live virus for a long time. Some patients can remain positive or test positive repeatedly for short periods of time for weeks or even months. Reinfection means that the same person is infected again with a different strain of the new coronavirus after being infected with one strain of the virus in the past and recovering.
reinfection is more common in families with the omiclonal strain. First, omeclonal infections usually cause mild infections. It can avoid the immune response of humoral immunity, and cellular immunity, and cannot establish a very effective human immune barrier. Therefore, viruses of the Omiclone family are more likely to be reinfected after infection. Secondly, the antibody titer produced after natural infection will decrease after four to six months and cannot produce lasting protection. Figure 8 is a study on the reinfection of COVID-19 in the California prison system during the Omicron epidemic. In an environment with a relatively high population density such as a prison, if you have never been vaccinated and if you have been infected for more than 6 months, the protection against infection by the Omicron strain is only about 20%. If the previous infection was within 6 months and no vaccination was given, the protective efficacy can reach nearly 60%. The most ideal protective effect is recent natural infection plus vaccination with 3 doses of mRNA vaccine. In this case, the protection against reinfection reaches more than 85%.
Figure 8. Research on new coronavirus reinfection in the California prison system during the Omicron epidemic (Citation:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.05.26.22275639v1)
After being infected again, the symptoms are usually milder than the previous infection. The sequelae of COVID-19 caused by
Omiclone infection still exist, but they are much less than those of other strains. In a recent tracking study of nearly 3,000 medical staff in Switzerland, the proportion of COVID-19 sequelae caused by the original strain was approximately 17%, while the proportion of COVID-19 sequelae caused by Omicron clones dropped to nearly 5%, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9. Changes in the incidence of sequelae of Omicron infection (Citation:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.10.21.22281349v1)
Mental health during the COVID-19 epidemic
During the epidemic, many people are prone to anxiety, panic, depression and other emotions. In addition to understanding the new coronavirus and protecting our own safety, we must pay attention to maintaining mental calm. Don't spend too much time following online news. Set aside time to exercise and relieve stress. You can have more phone calls and video calls with your relatives and friends to encourage each other. Think more positively and believe that the epidemic will pass and the future will still be full of hope.
Figure 10. (Quote: https://www.health.taichung.gov.tw/1538590/post)
Dong’an, take care!
So they will carry the same live virus for a long time. Some patients can remain positive or test positive repeatedly for short periods of time for weeks or even months. Reinfection means that the same person is infected again with a different strain of the new coronavirus after being infected with one strain of the virus in the past and recovering.reinfection is more common in families with the omiclonal strain. First, omeclonal infections usually cause mild infections. It can avoid the immune response of humoral immunity, and cellular immunity, and cannot establish a very effective human immune barrier. Therefore, viruses of the Omiclone family are more likely to be reinfected after infection. Secondly, the antibody titer produced after natural infection will decrease after four to six months and cannot produce lasting protection. Figure 8 is a study on the reinfection of COVID-19 in the California prison system during the Omicron epidemic. In an environment with a relatively high population density such as a prison, if you have never been vaccinated and if you have been infected for more than 6 months, the protection against infection by the Omicron strain is only about 20%. If the previous infection was within 6 months and no vaccination was given, the protective efficacy can reach nearly 60%. The most ideal protective effect is recent natural infection plus vaccination with 3 doses of mRNA vaccine. In this case, the protection against reinfection reaches more than 85%.
Figure 8. Research on new coronavirus reinfection in the California prison system during the Omicron epidemic (Citation:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.05.26.22275639v1)
After being infected again, the symptoms are usually milder than the previous infection. The sequelae of COVID-19 caused by
Omiclone infection still exist, but they are much less than those of other strains. In a recent tracking study of nearly 3,000 medical staff in Switzerland, the proportion of COVID-19 sequelae caused by the original strain was approximately 17%, while the proportion of COVID-19 sequelae caused by Omicron clones dropped to nearly 5%, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9. Changes in the incidence of sequelae of Omicron infection (Citation:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.10.21.22281349v1)
Mental health during the COVID-19 epidemic
During the epidemic, many people are prone to anxiety, panic, depression and other emotions. In addition to understanding the new coronavirus and protecting our own safety, we must pay attention to maintaining mental calm. Don't spend too much time following online news. Set aside time to exercise and relieve stress. You can have more phone calls and video calls with your relatives and friends to encourage each other. Think more positively and believe that the epidemic will pass and the future will still be full of hope.
Figure 10. (Quote: https://www.health.taichung.gov.tw/1538590/post)
Dong’an, take care!
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