Recovering From Covid-19 Gives Immunity for Five Months But People Can Still Spread It, Study Finds
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A person who was infected and cured from Covid-19 provides them with some immunity for at least five months, but people may still carry and transmit the virus, according to a new study.
A UK government-commissioned study among British healthcare workers say those to have recovered, do still remain a danger to other people. However, not all of them. So you shouldn’t stigmatize people who have recovered.
Available data shows that a small number of those with immunity may still be able carry the virus in their nose and throat and therefore have a risk of transmitting it to others.
The study by Public Health England (PHE), British government agency found that antibodies from past infection provide 83 per cent protection against reinfection for at least five months.
This suggests that people who contracted the disease in the first wave may now be vulnerable to catching it again.
Although reinfections in people with antibodies were rare, the researchers identified 44 potential reinfections among 6,614 participants who showed evidence of previous infection.
Professor Susan Hopkins, senior medical adviser at PHE and the study lead, is reported to have said: “This study has given us the clearest picture to date of the nature of antibody protection against Covid-19 but it is critical people do not misunderstand these early findings.
“We now know that most of those who have had the virus, and developed antibodies, are protected from reinfection, but this is not total and we do not yet know how long protection lasts.”
“Crucially, we believe people may still be able to pass the virus on.”
“This means, even if you believe you already had the disease and are protected, you can be reassured it is highly unlikely you will develop severe infections, but there is still a risk that you could acquire an infection and transmit to others.”
“Now, more than ever, it is vital we all stay at home to protect our health service and save lives.”
