Summer COVID-19 Threat to High-Risk Groups: Repeat Infections May Increase Lung Cancer Risk by 3 Times

Taiwan has gone through five years of the COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic. According to the latest information from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the epidemic is currently at a low point, but severe cases and deaths continue to occur. Starting yesterday, the CDC has provided an additional dose of vaccine to seniors aged 65 and above, indigenous people aged 55 to 64, and patients aged 6 months and above with immunodeficiency or weakened immunity.

Professor Chen Hsiu-Hsi of the National Taiwan University College of Public Health stated today at a health education press conference that although the global COVID-19 pandemic has ended, it continues to cause regional epidemics in various places, and the virus is constantly mutating. Among them, the BA.3.2 variant, newly listed for monitoring by the World Health Organization, has as many as 52 mutation points and significant immune escape characteristics, requiring close attention to the possibility of a resurgence of the epidemic at any time.

The epidemic shows seasonal and cyclical patterns. Chen Hsiu-Hsi pointed out that from the epidemic information from 2023 to 2025, in addition to the more commonly noticed autumn and winter epidemics, domestic COVID-19 epidemics have also caused a small wave of epidemics and excess deaths in May to July for three consecutive years. This wave of epidemics mainly affects high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with weakened immunity.

Chen Hsiu-Hsi emphasized that because the virus is constantly mutating, even those who have been infected with COVID-19 or vaccinated can still experience repeat infections. The latest research has shown that COVID-19 and cancer have similar pathophysiological mechanisms, and inflammatory factors may even cause cancer recurrence in patients in remission; repeat infections can lead to a 3.2-fold increase in lung cancer incidence and a 3-fold increase in chronic lung disease incidence, which must not be ignored.

Dr. Chang Feng-Yi, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, pointed out that according to the CDC's 2023 serological antibody survey, it is estimated that nearly 80% of the national population has been infected with the COVID-19 virus. A national cohort study in Taiwan also showed that the all-cause mortality risk within 30 days after infection for patients re-diagnosed with COVID-19 is 4.29 times that of those not re-infected. The threat of repeat infections should not be underestimated.

Chang Feng-Yi reminded that high-risk groups for severe COVID-19 and death include pregnant women, the elderly, and those with underlying diseases, with a mortality rate of up to 23% for severe patients. Although symptoms may be mild at first, they can become increasingly severe and may also increase the risk of subsequent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and worsen chronic conditions. Therefore, if there are suspected symptoms, it is urged to get screened as soon as possible.

Dr. Lin Ying-Jan, President of the Republic of China Primary Care Association, stated that the initial symptoms of influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus are highly similar, making clinical differentiation difficult. High-risk groups should seize the golden period for medication, getting screened and seeking medical attention as soon as possible within 24 to 48 hours of suspected symptoms to quickly defend their health. (Editor: Chen Ching-Fang) 1150408