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Latest Breaking News

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Mrs. Overall

(6,839 posts)
Mon Jun 22, 2020, 10:16 AM Jun 2020

Antibody levels in recovered COVID-19 patients decline quickly [View all]

Source: Reuters

Levels of an antibody found in recovered COVID-19 patients fell sharply in 2-3 months after infection for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, according to a Chinese study, raising questions about the length of any immunity against the novel coronavirus.

The research, published in Nature Medicine on June 18, highlights the risks of using COVID-19 ‘immunity passports’ and supports the prolonged use of public health interventions such as social distancing and isolating high-risk groups, researchers said.

Health authorities in some countries such as Germany are debating the ethics and practicalities of allowing people who test positive for antibodies to move more freely than others who don’t.

The research, which studied 37 symptomatic patients and 37 asymptomatic patients, found that of those who tested positive for the presence of the IgG antibody, one of the main types of antibodies induced after infection, over 90% showed sharp declines in 2-3 months.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-antibody-idUSKBN23T1CJ



This is also what happens in terms of the common cold, which is also a coronavirus.
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If valid, this implies that a vaccine won't be the answer. A treatment will be. still_one Jun 2020 #1
I think that's correct. There is still no vaccine for these coronaviruses: SARS, MERS, and Mrs. Overall Jun 2020 #3
Most common colds are a rhinovirus. El Supremo Jun 2020 #17
Yes. Rhinovirus accounts for 10% - 40% and Coronavirus accounts for 20% Mrs. Overall Jun 2020 #18
I suspect any info out of China without verification elsewhere beachbumbob Jun 2020 #2
I think the Chinese would like a vaccine as much as any of us. luvtheGWN Jun 2020 #8
Good question . . . MousePlayingDaffodil Jun 2020 #15
Crucial information! 2naSalit Jun 2020 #4
We need a monoclonal antibody therapy STAT. roamer65 Jun 2020 #5
I think that is what makes Trump think he's invincible Sucha NastyWoman Jun 2020 #26
Those are targeted therapies. Ms. Toad Jun 2020 #45
You are correct. It doesn't work that way. Drahthaardogs Jun 2020 #50
Which means we'll never get herd immunity. Baitball Blogger Jun 2020 #6
Well. That's not good. What do you do with a cold? Ride it out. Sometimes it takes you down, and LizBeth Jun 2020 #7
This is why it's unlikely we will get a vaccine for COVID-19. Laelth Jun 2020 #10
I certainly can't isolate forever. I am in better position than a lot of people. LizBeth Jun 2020 #12
I am fairly certain we will develop treatments. Laelth Jun 2020 #20
Right. Maybe they can come up with a more effective treatment for covid seeing results can be LizBeth Jun 2020 #22
Treatments for COVID-19 will probably be only marginally effective. Laelth Jun 2020 #23
Thanks for a reality based conversation. In this world, that is always appreciated. LizBeth Jun 2020 #31
You are most welcome. n/t Laelth Jun 2020 #33
Do we have a treatment for the common cold, or do we just relieve some of the synptoms? Sucha NastyWoman Jun 2020 #29
We mainly treat the symptoms of the common cold, afaik. Laelth Jun 2020 #32
Implications are stunning Roc2020 Jun 2020 #9
We will find out in the near future. Scruffy1 Jun 2020 #11
Fucking damn bad news - again. lark Jun 2020 #13
You have other cells that "remember" the virus... El Supremo Jun 2020 #14
Antibodies aren't the only relevant number Silver1 Jun 2020 #16
Except for people like me with a fatal autoimmune disease. pazzyanne Jun 2020 #24
I'm sorry to hear you have complications like this to worry about and deal with. Silver1 Jun 2020 #46
I suspect the final answer will be a yearly (or even bi-yearly) vaccine plus treatments... nt Blasphemer Jun 2020 #19
There is too much unknown about this virus BarbD Jun 2020 #21
They won't know what this means unless people get reinfected Warpy Jun 2020 #25
Well there goes Sweden's theory! Crowman2009 Jun 2020 #27
So covid 19 is like a deadlier form of a cold? wnylib Jun 2020 #28
Basically, yes. Laelth Jun 2020 #30
So in other words Neerav B. Trivedi Jun 2020 #35
No. Most of us will survive. Laelth Jun 2020 #36
You are right! Steelrolled Jun 2020 #40
We're all doomed to die of something. Nt a la izquierda Jun 2020 #47
Not for trying. Igel Jun 2020 #42
Just because antibody levels decline quickly may not necessarily PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #34
I think I'd place my hopes on a treatment. wnylib Jun 2020 #38
Flu Antibodies Last 6 Months Or Less ProfessorGAC Jun 2020 #37
Hope and optimism doesn't cell. Igel Jun 2020 #43
Good Point ProfessorGAC Jun 2020 #44
I wonder if flu antibodies really only last 6 months. PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #48
It's Supposed To Be About The Memory B Cells ProfessorGAC Jun 2020 #49
Right. There's a lot that's known, and probably a lot more that's not known PoindexterOglethorpe Jun 2020 #52
That's what my GP said as well when I asked about flu shot timing. EllieBC Jun 2020 #51
Who knows what the actual effect of this finding is. Steelrolled Jun 2020 #39
This message was self-deleted by its author GeorgeGist Jun 2020 #41
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