Is it possible for a person to be infected with different mutant strains? Experts: entirely possible

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As the number of people recovering from infection with the new crown increases, questions such as return to duty criteria, secondary fever and reinfection have raised public concerns. on December 22, Wang Linghang, director of the emergency department and deputy director of the clinical center for infectious diseases at Beijing Ditan Hospital, was interviewed by the media to answer questions.

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Question 1

Beijing has recently released recommendations on when the quarantine can be lifted to return to work after infection with the new crown, focusing mainly on fever symptoms, to what extent should other symptoms such as cough and sore throat be relieved?

This is the recovery pattern for most young adults after infection with Omicron BF.7. Previously hospitalized for 7-10 days, the nucleic acid Ct value reaches 35 or more and can be released from isolation. The exact return to work and production depends on the individual’s recovery physical condition.

If pneumonia manifests during the acute phase, of course, the recovery period should be extended until the lung infection and exudation are significantly better. The sore throat usually lasts for a short time, and the cough is mostly post-infection, with the airway and upper respiratory tract still in a hypersensitive and hyper-reactive state, and may also cough for 1-2 weeks, gradually relieving.

In addition, some young adults with underlying disease have a long nucleic acid turnaround time and need a longer recovery time. In particular, individuals who also have hypothermia and myocarditis manifestations must rest well and not tolerate the discomfort and force a return to work, which can easily be risky.

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Question 2

Can I not get vaccinated if I have been infected? Do some people who have not received the full course of vaccination have to continue after recovery? Do people who have never been vaccinated before still need to be vaccinated?

There are many differences in the immune status of an individual.

The infection after vaccination is called a breakthrough infection, in which the body’s immune system is hit by a live virus, which proliferates and replicates in the body, producing antigens that stimulate the immune system, and generating immunity to the subspectrum of viral strains during the acute recovery period, as evidenced by increased levels of neutralizing antibodies and a certain level of T-cell immunity. The ability to clear pathogens. The need for vaccination in the near future is not very strong, because previous vaccines have been directed against the very first strains, and antigenic stimulation does not cover the currently prevalent Omicron epitopes, and there is significant immune escape from Omicron.

Currently, mainly negative elderly vulnerable people who are not infected should rush to get a booster vaccination. Re-vaccination of those who have recovered from infection is not a current priority.

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Question 3

Regarding the resumption of work, how is it appropriate to disinfect the unit? For example, what is the concentration and frequency of disinfection solution, and how can it work without causing adverse effects on the respiratory tract of the workers?

Just be calm. Omicron is not a devil, it is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Just continue to routinely wipe down surfaces of objects, ventilate crowded areas, and wear a good mask to prevent it.

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Question 4

If some family members have recovered and some have not been infected, do they still need to share meals or even eat in separate rooms during regular meals? Can we still share household items?

If the infection is not consistent, it is still important to be aware that wearing a mask within the family is also an option. Although transmission within the family is inevitable, there is still a difference in the clinical course of infection between a small contact infection and a large contact infection.

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Question 5

For many fitness enthusiasts, is it possible to resume the usual intensity of exercise immediately after recovery without symptoms?

It is better to rest until you feel no shock. Rest well and make sure that your muscles, joints, stamina and heart muscle can cope with the exercise load without discomfort, and progress gradually.

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Question 6

Now that business travel is gradually returning to normal, how to do a good job of protection during travel?

Wash your hands regularly, wear a good mask, and do not take off your mask in an unsafe environment.

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Question 7

How long does it take for the body to develop antibodies after a positive test?

If you have not been vaccinated and have not been infected naturally, it takes about 10-14 days, about two weeks, for the body to produce IgG antibodies. However, if there is a previous vaccination base and then exposure to the virus, it is mainly the recall immune response that kicks in and does not take that long, often the antibody titer level rises significantly in 3-5 days.

It is possible that secondary infections are due to lack of rest. Many of the observed secondary infections are due to re-exposure to cold, or to a period of viral infection followed by a period of inflammatory response, resulting in a “bimodal fever”, but often with a drop in peak body temperature, and also be alert to infections by other respiratory pathogens such as influenza in winter and spring.

In addition, it is important to get more rest during the acute phase. The process of infection is a process of interaction between the pathogen and the organism, a relationship between this and that. Therefore, it is still crucial to strengthen rest and completely remove the virus infected during this acute period.

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Question 8

Can I go to work even though I have a cough after the antigen has turned negative?

Yes, you should pay attention to your cough etiquette. Wear a mask.

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Question 9

Is it possible for a person to be infected with different mutant strains simultaneously or sequentially?

It is entirely possible, and this is the “immune escape” of the new coronavirus.