Scientists see signs of lasting immunity to Covid-19, even after mild infections



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Notably, several of the new studies find these powerful responses in people who have not developed severe cases of Covid-19, added Dr Iyer. Some researchers worry that infections that weigh less on the body may be less memorable to the studious cells of the immune system, which may prefer to invest their resources in more serious attacks. In some cases, the body might even shed viruses so quickly that it fails to catalog them. “This article suggests that is not true,” Dr. Iyer said. “You can still achieve lasting immunity without suffering the consequences of infection.”

What has been observed in people who have battled mild cases of Covid-19 may not be true for hospital patients, whose bodies struggle to elicit a balanced immune response to the virus, or those who have been infected but who showed no symptoms. Research groups around the world continue to study all of the answers. But “the vast majority of cases are these mild infections,” said Jason Netland, an immunologist at the University of Washington and author of the document under review at Nature. “If these people are to be protected, it is always a good thing.”

This new round of studies could also further allay fears about how and when the pandemic will end. The updated guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday were misinterpreted by several press reports suggesting that immunity to the coronavirus may only last a few months. Experts responded quickly, noting the dangers of spreading such claims and noting the wealth of evidence that people who have previously had the virus are likely at least partially protected from reinfection for at least three months, if not much longer.

Considered along with other recent reports, the new data reinforces the idea that “Yes, you are developing immunity against this virus and good immunity against this virus,” said Dr. Eun-Hyung Lee, an immunologist at the University. Emory who was not involved. in studies. “This is the message we want to get across.”

Certain illnesses, such as the flu, can affect populations repeatedly. But that’s at least in part due to the high mutation rates of influenza viruses, which can quickly make pathogens unrecognizable by the immune system. Coronaviruses, on the other hand, tend to change their appearance less easily from year to year.

Yet much remains unknown. While these studies suggest the potential for protection, they don’t demonstrate the protection in action, said Cheong-Hee Chang, an immunologist at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the new studies. “It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen,” Dr Chang said. “Humans are so heterogeneous. There are so many factors that come into play. ”

Animal research could help fill in a few gaps. Small studies have shown that an episode of the coronavirus appears to prevent rhesus macaques from contracting it again.



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