What happens if I am infected with a virus after vaccination?

Researchers are still trying to determine if long-term symptoms may develop in those who have been vaccinated.

Although the COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing death and severe illness from the coronavirus in the world, some people get infected even after receiving the shots. Health experts believe that vaccines can help reduce the severity of illness in people who have experienced such "breakthrough" cases.

Researchers are also investigating whether breakthrough cases might lead to long COVID-19. This is when patients experience persistent, returning, or new symptoms for up to a month after an infection. This condition can occur even after initial mild to severe infections.

According to some estimates, 30% of COVID-19 unvaccinated patients experience long-term symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Other viral infections can also cause similar symptoms.

Recent Israeli research has shown that long-term COVID-19 was found in health workers who had suffered breakthrough infections. The mild symptoms they experienced included fatigue, weakness, and cough that lasted at most six weeks.

Studies of larger scale are ongoing.

Researchers aren't sure why the symptoms persist, but some believe that they may be due to lung scarring or damage from previous infections. Another theory is that the virus could linger in the body, triggering an immune response that causes the symptoms.