If you had coronavirus during the first wave, the possibility of reinfection in the second wave is latent and the severity level under which it can occur is even unpredictable, warned on Friday
Lely Solari, infectious disease specialist at the National Health Institute (INS).
In remarks to
Andina news agency, the expert indicated that —based on the cases reported in Peru— patients, who had a mild infection (fever and headache) in the first wave, were hospitalized for lack of oxygen during their reinfection.
Solari said that —although medical science continues to analyze reinfection cases— Peruvian specialists have perceived that —for some reason— many patients are not older adults but "minors" and also reach quickly a considerable severity level.
The physician mentioned the rainforest city of Iquitos as one of the points hosting the highest COVID-19 reinfection rate.
"We have seen crowded people on the streets of Iquitos without masks; in these circumstances, the amount of circulating virus is higher," she warned.
Likewise, it has been documented in various countries that —after six months— the amount of antibodies in the blood of people, who had coronavirus, decreases.
"That is why you see a first wave and then a second. Immunity decreases over the months and is not enough to block a reinfection," she added.
(END) RRC/MVB
Published: 2/12/2021