More health risks can be triggered due to repeated COVID-19 infections: Experts

Doctors have warned that repeated COVID-19 infections can pose additional risks of adverse health outcomes.

Doctors and health experts have said that people with repeated COVID-19 infections are more at risk of developing myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscles. In addition to this patients with repeated infections are more probe to develop lung scarring and pulmonary fibrosis, the experts said.

The current increase in cases is said to be driven by the Omicron subvariant XBB 1.16. This variant is known for its ability for evade immunity from previous infections and vaccinations. In the past 24 hours, India recorded 6,050 cases, health ministry data showed.

"Repeated infections can definitely cause chronic low-grade inflammation, that perpetuates for a long term, leading to harm in various organs. People who have repeated Covid infections are at three times more risk of developing myocarditis. Patients who have repeated Covid infections are also 3.5 times more prone to develop lung scarring and pulmonary fibrosis," Dr Ashutosh Shukla, senior director-internal medicine, Max Hospital said according to a Times of India report.

He also said that evidence showed that chronic inflammation predisposes individuals to lifestyle chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attack and blood pressure.

In India over 90 per cent adults have received at least two doses of vaccines, yet people are getting re-infected, he added.

A study conducted at the Vedanta Medicity showed that the virus does affect the muscle fibres of the heart, which can even lead to sudden death, Dr. Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of the institute said.

While many people will recover, whether the virus will make it worse depends on the severity, he also added.

He also said, "one thing we have discovered is that Covid virus and its sub mutations create inflammation not only to lungs but 20% of the people will get inflammation of the heart too. One of the main things is to recognise it, especially by those who want to go back to rigorous activity."