MORE COVID INFECTIONS, MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS? BACK, RESPIRATORY, MENTAL PROBLEMS AMONG NEW RISKS
Being infected with SARS-CoV-2 two or more times may be associated with a higher likelihood of developing new health conditions. According to a study published in Canada Communicable Disease Report, repeated COVID-19 infections were associated with higher odds of new diagnoses, including respiratory, back and mental health problems.
It is well known that pre-existing health conditions can increase the risk of severe COVID-19. But the new research suggests that the relationship between COVID-19 and chronic health conditions may run in both directions.
The findings reinforce “the continued importance of public health efforts to prevent infection,” the researchers said.
What Are The Newer Health Risks?
For the study, researchers from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada analysed data collected between April 2022 and June 2023 from nearly 9,000 respondents to the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey and Follow-up Questionnaire.
Nearly 50% of participants reported having one COVID-19 infection, while about 20% reported two or more infections.
The researchers found that people who reported two or more infections had 76% higher odds of receiving a new diagnosis than those who reported no infections.
The new health conditions included:
- Respiratory conditions
- Cardiovascular conditions
- High blood pressure
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Arthritis
- Back problems
- Sleep apnea
- Mental health conditions
Respiratory Diagnoses Had The Strongest Association
People with repeat infections had five times the odds of receiving a respiratory diagnosis and nearly four times the odds of developing back problems.
Participants who experienced acute symptoms that interfered with daily activities during their first infection were also 63% more likely to receive a new diagnosis.
Those who experienced symptoms three or more months after an infection had more than three times the odds of receiving a new diagnosis.
The researchers cautioned that the health information was self-reported, which means participants may not have accurately remembered the severity of their symptoms.
In addition, some people who reported having no infections may have had asymptomatic or undiagnosed COVID-19.
“Continued investigation into the long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly reinfections, and the biological, behavioral and systemic factors that may mediate the effects of these infections is needed,” said the researchers in the paper.
“Such investigations could assist healthcare practitioners in tailoring COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and post-COVID-19 monitoring for new health conditions and guide public health practice and messaging when promoting COVID-19 vaccine uptake and personal protective measures (e.g., masking) to prevent and minimize the severity of infections, as well as the potential development of new health conditions,” they added.
COVID Status Worldwide
Global COVID-19 transmission has experienced a distinct late-summer wave through August and September 2026. Several countries, including Canada, the US, South Korea and Japan, have reported increased COVID-19 activity.
The current circulation includes variants such as XFG (Stratus), BA.3.2 (Cicada), LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus). The continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility of repeat infections make research into the longer-term health effects of reinfection particularly relevant.
2026-09-14T06:51:59Z