The low immunity caused by Covid-19 has triggered secondary infections, with city doctors seeing several cases of herpes, zoster and arthralgia in patients who have just recovered. Unlike the pre-pandemic era, when mostly the senior citizens got these illnesses, people under the age of 40 are getting affected now.

Dr Neeraj Tulara from Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital said that since the start of the pandemic, they have observed that Coronavirus infection has led to many autoimmune manifestations, and many dormant infections have surfaced in a post-Covid setting due to persistent low immunity.

Dr Vandana Punjabi, senior consultant, Dermatology, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, said several viral diseases like herpes zoster, molluscum contagiosum and warts rose significantly in August-September 2021, during the second wave. “Though the cases have reduced now, they account for nearly 20 per cent of the total dermatological complaints. Major cause of the trend is compromised immunity due to Covid-19 and the body’s inability to fight these viruses successfully,” she said.

Affecting under-40s

“In the pre-pandemic period, these infections were common among senior citizens, pregnant women or co-morbid people with compromised immunity. Since the second wave, the infections have increased among patients aged 40 years and below, with no major health indications,” she added. Dr Pritam Moon, consultant physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, said many Covid-19 patients have reported skin complications during the recovery phase and have been diagnosed with herpes zoster (HZ), called shingles. “Herpes in some patients, who have had a previous history of the condition, is getting triggered, owing to the low immunity from Covid-19,” he said.