The large-scale vaccination of the new crown vaccine continues to be promoted, and booster doses are popularized, but the virus continues to mutate, especially the most contagious Omicron mutant strain, which promotes repeated epidemics.
COVID-19 Immunization
The rise in cases of secondary infections after full vaccination and recovery from the infection is a renewed concern.
Will I be re-infected after recovering from the new crown infection? Why reinfection?
How do we get immunity from the new crown and prevent reinfection? Let's analyze together!
How is immunity developed?
The result, whether through vaccination or the development of antibodies due to infection, is that the body becomes immune to the virus. So, if you have immunity to the new crown, will you be infected again?
To answer this question, we must first understand what immunity is and how it is produced.
The immune system is the body's defense system against infection and consists of two parts: the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. Once a virus has invaded the body, the immune system's first response is to destroy the foreign enemy, including the release of chemicals that cause inflammation and white blood cells that can destroy infected cells.
immune system
The innate immune response does not learn, does not target any particular virus, and therefore does not confer immunity to COVID-19.
The adaptive immune response is key -- including cells that produce targeted antibodies that can cling to the virus and block it, and T cells that recognize the virus and target it to attack infected cells, the cellular response.
Studies have shown that it takes about 10 days for antibodies to develop against the new coronavirus, and that the sickest patients develop the strongest immune responses.
How to get the new crown immunity?
Our immune system is our first line of defense against infection. The immune system consists of two parts.
The first part is the innate immune response (also known as innate immunity or non-specific immunity), that is, as soon as the body detects any foreign invaders, it will immediately attack. This innate immune response involves the release of chemicals that cause inflammation and white blood cells that can destroy infected cells.
However, the innate immune response has not yet learned to recognize the new coronavirus, so it cannot provide immune protection against infection with specific viruses.
At this point, the body needs an adaptive immune response (also known as acquired immunity, or specific immunity). It includes cells that produce targeted antibodies that stick to the virus and stop it from spreading, and T cells that specialize in attacking virus-infected cells, known as the cellular response.
But the adaptive immune response takes time. Studies have shown that it takes about 10 days to start producing targeted antibodies to deal with the new coronavirus. Those who were most sick also had the strongest immune responses.
If this adaptive immune response is strong enough, the body can have a memory of the infection and provide future protection.
It is unclear whether a sufficient adaptive immune response is generated in people with mild or asymptomatic infection to provide sustained immune protection.
The new crown vaccine can effectively prevent severe illness, but it cannot guarantee that you will not be infected with the new crown.
The new crown vaccine can effectively prevent severe illness, but it cannot guarantee that you will not be infected with the new crown.
How long does immunity last?
The memory of the immune system is similar to that of a human being. It may remember some infections vividly but forget others.
Measles, for example, usually confers lifelong immunity after one attack. But the body's immune system forgets about many other viruses,
For example, children can be infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, respiratory syncytial virus) multiple times in one winter.
If the adaptive immune response is strong enough, it may leave a lasting memory of the infection and thus provide immune protection in the future. Whether an adequate adaptive immune response will be generated in people with mild or asymptomatic infection is not yet clear.
Among them are four coronaviruses that cause the common cold, to which the body has a short-lived immunity. Studies have shown that some patients can have repeated colds within a year. Fortunately, the symptoms of the common cold are mild.
Two other coronaviruses are more severe, one is the virus that causes SARS (also known as SARS or SARS); the other is the virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers).
If infected with these two viruses, antibodies can still be detected in the body of the recovered person several years later.
Studies of SARS antibodies have shown that immunity may last 1-2 years, but this is not yet certain.
The new crown vaccine is likely to be like the cold vaccine, which will not provide lifelong immunity.
But we can do a good job of personal protection in our daily life and improve our immunity!
