Clinical features of patients who had two COVID-19 episodes: a European multicentre case series

Objective To investigate the clinical features of patients who had two demonstrated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) episodes. Methods Data of patients with both COVID-19 episodes were recruited from 22 March to 27 December 2020. The following outcomes were studied: epidemiological, comorbidities, prevalence and severity of general and otolaryngological symptom, olfactory, aroma, and gustatory dysfunctions. A comparison between first and second episodes was performed. Results Forty-five patients reported having two confirmed COVID-19 episodes. The majority of patients had mild infections in both episodes. The second clinical episode was significantly similar to the first. The symptom duration of the second episode was shorter than the first. The occurrence of loss of smell was unpredictable from the first to the second episode. Conclusion The recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms is associated with a similar clinical picture than the first episode in patients with initial mild-to-moderate COVID episode. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of second episode remain uncertain and may involve either true reinfection or virus reactivation from sanctuaries.

Automated summary

The study found that patients who had two COVID-19 infections had similar clinical features in the second episode as the first, with most patients experiencing milder symptoms in both episodes and shorter duration in the second episode. The occurrence of loss of smell was unpredictable between the first and second infections.