4 ms·
If you get reinfected, can you expect the same level of severity? That's what I'm wondering. Does having antibodies for a a virus that's very close, but not q
by kbenson 7y ago
If you get reinfected, can you expect the same level of severity? That's what I'm wondering. Does having antibodies for a a virus that's very close, but not quite exact result in less severe symptoms and/or a quicker time to showing symptoms? If so, that doesn't necessarily help the spread greatly right now, but it does point towards a time in the future where this virus actually is more like the regular colds and flus we are used to.
- CydeWeys 7y agoIt maybe more that immunity within the body fades quickly, not so much that the virus mutates to the point it's different enough. The linked article talks about a sharp drop-off of coronavirus antibodies over time, which doesn't happen with antibodies for some other viruses (e.g. varicella antibodies are lifelong). And it doesn't sound like we really know why this might be.
- vikramkr 7y agoDepends on the virus. For diseases like dengue you get antibody mediated enhancement of the infection, making it far worse, so the first time you're nearly asymptomatic and the second time you're on deaths door. For other diseases, even partial binding helps make the disease more mild. Biology is super variable.
- Symmetry 7y agoFor coronaviruses subsequent infections seem to be less severe. Some scientists speculate this coronavirus might not be intrinsically any more virulent than the 4 common cold coronaviruses, it's just that with this one we weren't able to train our immune system to handle it in childhood.