COVID-19 recovered patients might have immunity to the virus for only a few months, a new study reveals. The research is the first of its kind in analyzing the antibody levels of confirmed coronavirus-positive patients and how they alter over time.
The researchers studied the immune responses of coronavirus patients, including health care workers at Guy's and St. Thomas' National Health Service Foundation Trust in London.
The results of their study revealed that their antibody levels quickly declined after peaking for several weeks following symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, their findings found that about 60% of the recoverees had a "potent" antibody response during the peak of their battle with the virus.
However, after two months, only 16.7% still had an effective antibody response. In some cases, the antibody response was no longer detectable.
According to Katie Doores, the lead author from King's College London, people are producing an equitable antibody response to the virus. However, depending on how high the peak is, the immunity seems to be decreasing over a short period.
The researchers believe that their findings would significantly impact how governments plan for their next steps in vaccine research and development during the pandemic.
Also Read : Some Forms of Common Cold May Give COVID-19 Immunity Lasting up to 17 Years, New Research Suggests
Can you get coronavirus twice?
It's been almost six months since the pandemic started, and the scientific society's understanding of COVID-19 is still rapidly evolving. There are new reports of people testing positive again, or continuing to generate symptoms even after an initial diagnosis of COVID-19.
According to a previous report from NPR, South Korean public health officials had confirmed 163 people who tested positive for the virus following hospital discharge.
Moreover, similar cases have also been reported in China. The news has since then led to speculation that people could be reinfected with the coronavirus or that it could somehow be reactivated in a person's body.
According to Lawrence Young, a professor of Molecular Oncology at the University of Warwick, the recent study is important in providing knowledge on the long-term dynamics of the antibody response to the coronavirus.
He adds that it further accentuates the need for a deeper understanding of what a protective immune response looks like if an effective vaccine is to be developed.
Coronavirus Antibody Test
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus antibody tests work by checking your blood for antibodies. It could tell you if you've had a past infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Having antibodies to the coronavirus may provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. If it does, however, experts are still aren't sure about the extent of protection the antibodies may provide or how long it may last.
On the other hand, testing negative does not automatically mean you don't have the virus during the time of testing.
The test could come out as negative because it typically takes one to three weeks after infection for the body to produce antibodies. It is still possible to get sick if you have been recently exposed to the virus. This means that viral transmission is still possible.
Cases are different as some people may take even longer to develop antibodies, while some who are infected may not ever develop antibodies.
While further studies are still underway, health experts urge people to indefinitely practice protective measures such as wearing masks, proper handwashing, and observing social distancing.
