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After getting infected with COVID-19, one of the most common questions being asked is: How long does your immunity last after recovery from coronavirus? While there are many different rumors and findings, the truth is, since COVID-19 is a new virus, there is not enough evidence and research conducted to be able to give us a definite answer. However, here’s what we know about COVID-19 immunity so far:
When will your body start to make antibodies for COVID-19?
Via: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – COVID-19 immunity
Just because you’ve been infected with COVID-19 and have made your way to recovery, it does not mean you are immune to the virus straight away. On the contrary, your body takes around 1-3 weeks to make antibodies. That’s why it is important to keep yourself safe and follow precautions for COVID-19 to avoid getting re-infected before your body starts building immunity.
How long does your immunity last after COVID-19 recovery?
While studies are still being conducted and findings are changing constantly, according to this study, most patients are immune to COVID-19 for a period of 8 months after recovering from the virus. This research was based on measuring four components to identify the immunity memory in the body:
- Antibodies
- Memory B cells
- Helper T cells
- Killer T cells
The results showed that all 4 factors were still present in the body for a period of 8 months showing that immunity could last for that period.
However, another study conducted in Iceland tested 2102 samples collected from 1237 people up to 4 months after they had been diagnosed with COVID-19. The results showed that 91% of those who had recovered were seropositive, indicating that their bodies contained the antiviral antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. It also showed that the immune cells did not decline within 4 months after diagnosis.
According to the video posted by the World Health Organization above, there are several studies that show that immunity could last 6 months or even longer. However, studies are still being conducted to show how strong the immune response is and how long the antibodies last.
If you have mild COVID-19 symptoms, does that affect your immunity to COVID-19?
While there is no guarantee as there are so many variables in question, a study shows that patients who developed mild COVID-19 symptoms still showed immunoglobulin antibodies, neutralizing plasma, and memory B and T cells that lasted for around 3 months. According to that research, those who recovered from COVID-19 with mild symptoms were still immune to the virus for a period of 3 months.
However, based on another study, having mild symptoms that allow you to recover from COVID-19 faster could even mean a longer period of immunity. In this study, the results show that some of the patients who recovered within 10 days retained antibodies for several months, while others declined within a 3-4 months period.
Can you get re-infected with COVID-19 after recovery?
Via: ECRIN – Covid-19 immunity
While there are several cases of re-infection of COVID-19 after recovery, according to CDC, it is unlikely within the first 3 months. However, it is still possible to get re-infected with COVID-19 before your body creates antibodies. Just to be safe, it is important to still practice social distancing, wear masks, and continue to wash hands regularly even after you’ve recovered from COVID-19.
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Further reading:
- Coronavirus Food Menu: Healthy Recipes and Meals for COVID-19 Patients
- 12 Companies to Sanitize Your Home After a COVID-19 Infection
- Foods to Avoid Eating When You Have COVID-19
Sources used in this article:
- How long does immunity last after COVID-19? What we know – Healthline
- Immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 assessed for up to 8 months after infection – AAAS
- Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Iceland – The New England Journal of Medicine
- Functional SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Memory Persists after Mild COVID-19 – Cell
- COVID-19: Quicker recovery may indicate long-term immunity – Medical News Today
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