The strength of the immune response to COVID-19 infection and how long it lasts will be a very useful information in the management of this pandemic
Yes, I know a few cases who were infected with this virus more than once.
Very interesting question indeed. I would also like to know from experts especially how long the immunity/antibody lasts once developed after contracting COVID-19 infection. I observed that some people get infected twice with COVID-19. WHO chief scientist also said that someone can get infected twice but it is rare and the antibody may last for seven months. Here is the link I found
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/16/health/coronavirus-reinfections-what-we-know-wellness/index.html
There are two types of immune response in COVID. The T-cell memory response is noted to be present upto 7 months from a large cohort study. However, reinfection happens due to a different strain which doesn't share any antigenic property with the strain that previously infected or the host(the individual) didn't develop adequate antibodies in the first place due to his/her weak immune system as it happened in few documented cases of reinfections globally. To sum up, reinfections are not a major thing unless a totally new strain like the mutant one is spreading. But we still have to wait and watch how previous recovered individuals' bodies react to this strain. The CMMID paper does mention that the new strain can evade existing immunity. No objective evidence so far
Hnmmm, I got your point clearly Giridara Gopal Parameswaran . Grateful!!!
Welcome Oluyomi Ayodele. Here is the link to the paper from CMMID, UK. https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/uk-novel-variant.html. Best
In fact, to date there is no clear cut evidence with regard to long lasting immunity following infection with SARS-Cov2. Reinfection in Covid-19 has been documented.
Great thanks for dr. Giridar Gopal to declare that T-cell memory immunity lasts up to7 mths.after getting infected with covid-19, this result from a cohort study.I had seen many dentists had got infected twice with this virus,but there is no clear evidence how long the immunity lasts.
No, chances of re-infection is always there because acquired immunity against COVID-19 is short lived.
Your answers are understood and highly appreciated Arvind Singh Faraed Salman Salman Ajlan
Research is still ongoing into how strong that protection is and how long it lasts. WHO is also looking into whether the strength and length of immune response depends on the type of infection a person has: without symptoms (‘asymptomatic’), mild or severe. Even people without symptoms seem to develop an immune response.
Thank you Sir Kamal M Alsaad We will await their conclusions. Meanwhile, who ever recovers from COVID-19 shouldn't see oneself as a hero right?
Yes, I know a few cases who were infected with this virus more than once.
So far, research suggests, immunity lasts for seven months once someone gets infected by coronavirus.
Thank you for your answers Nidhal Kamel Taha El-Omari Proloy Barua
They are well taken
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