Is reinfection of COVID-19 still possible?
Doctors uncertain about logivity of immunity, say more data needed
By AuthorM. Sai Gopal | Published: 12th Apr 2020 12:09 amUpdated: 11th Apr 2020 10:41 pm
A coronavirus-shaped installation that has been put up by Rachakonda Police at Uppal Circle. The installation seeks to create awareness on social distancing and staying safe. — Photo: Anand Dharmana
Hyderabad: Can one get re-infected after recovering from COVID-19? The prospect of those who have recovered from COVID-19 getting re-infected has become a major concern for general public and public health authorities not only in Telangana but across the country.
The general rule is that once a person tests positive for an ailment, the body starts developing antibodies and over a period of time, they develop immunity that will prevent the resurgence of the disease.
However, is this true with SARS-CoV2 virus? “At this moment, we can’t say anything for certain. I personally believe that once patients recover from COVID-19, they should have immunity for at least some time. However, we can’t say this for certain and we need more data related to this,” says Superintendent, Chest Hospital, Dr Mahaboob Khan.
On Friday, South Korea reported that 91 recovered patients have once again tested positive for the novel Coronavirus disease. There are several such instances across the world that have prompted fears among physicians that the SARS-CoV2 could remain active in patients for much longer time.
Had Kothagudem DSP relapsed?
The State health officials are yet to ascertain why a senior police official from Kothagudem, who had recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative, had to be again admitted after he tested positive for the infection.
Persons who have recovered but then tested positive again were not examples of re-infection. They could be cases where the infection was lingering but the tests were not able to detect, senior public health officials here pointed out.
“Usually, people do not get re-infection so soon after testing negative. We are yet to reach to a conclusion on why this patient’s samples tested negative and later positive. Since COVID-19 is a novel disease, the country definitely needs more data,” Dr Mahaboob said.
Senior doctors also point out that there has been no concerted effort to understand the longevity of immunity among those who have recovered from COVID-19.
False negatives and Coronavirus
Health officials here said that the present Coronavirus diagnostic tests, which are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based, could give false negative results. This means, people with active Coronavirus can test negative for the disease. “We don’t have much data on the rate of false negative tests. They are still being carried out by various laboratories,” doctors said.
https://telanganatoday.com/is-reinfection-of-covid-19-still-possible
Doctors uncertain about logivity of immunity, say more data needed
By AuthorM. Sai Gopal | Published: 12th Apr 2020 12:09 amUpdated: 11th Apr 2020 10:41 pm
A coronavirus-shaped installation that has been put up by Rachakonda Police at Uppal Circle. The installation seeks to create awareness on social distancing and staying safe. — Photo: Anand Dharmana
Hyderabad: Can one get re-infected after recovering from COVID-19? The prospect of those who have recovered from COVID-19 getting re-infected has become a major concern for general public and public health authorities not only in Telangana but across the country.
The general rule is that once a person tests positive for an ailment, the body starts developing antibodies and over a period of time, they develop immunity that will prevent the resurgence of the disease.
However, is this true with SARS-CoV2 virus? “At this moment, we can’t say anything for certain. I personally believe that once patients recover from COVID-19, they should have immunity for at least some time. However, we can’t say this for certain and we need more data related to this,” says Superintendent, Chest Hospital, Dr Mahaboob Khan.
On Friday, South Korea reported that 91 recovered patients have once again tested positive for the novel Coronavirus disease. There are several such instances across the world that have prompted fears among physicians that the SARS-CoV2 could remain active in patients for much longer time.
Had Kothagudem DSP relapsed?
The State health officials are yet to ascertain why a senior police official from Kothagudem, who had recovered from COVID-19 and tested negative, had to be again admitted after he tested positive for the infection.
Persons who have recovered but then tested positive again were not examples of re-infection. They could be cases where the infection was lingering but the tests were not able to detect, senior public health officials here pointed out.
“Usually, people do not get re-infection so soon after testing negative. We are yet to reach to a conclusion on why this patient’s samples tested negative and later positive. Since COVID-19 is a novel disease, the country definitely needs more data,” Dr Mahaboob said.
Senior doctors also point out that there has been no concerted effort to understand the longevity of immunity among those who have recovered from COVID-19.
False negatives and Coronavirus
Health officials here said that the present Coronavirus diagnostic tests, which are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based, could give false negative results. This means, people with active Coronavirus can test negative for the disease. “We don’t have much data on the rate of false negative tests. They are still being carried out by various laboratories,” doctors said.
https://telanganatoday.com/is-reinfection-of-covid-19-still-possible
1. This virus is very fast evolving so that it may be mutating while inside the patient, and may be surviving the medicines given and even antibodies in a weak, old, or chronically ill patient.
2. Because the meds like HCQ won't give real immunity (won't kill all the virus) in weak patients who may not be able to produce enough antibodies themselves.
Solution:
If the possibility is #2: Can treat weak, old or ill patients with plasma from healthy cured patients. Though this has some limitations, this could be the only way we can help the vulnerable ones from getting reinfected.
If the possibility is #1, there would be waves and we need to be vigil until a vaccine is up, can possibly use HCQ for prevention.
Edit: Availability of enough plasma is a hurdle. Scientists should look if we could develop antibodies outside patient body, on bloods from our normal blood banks... One article i found in relation to which is,
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170724105119.htm
An international team of scientists has developed a method to rapidly produce specific human antibodies in the laboratory. The technique, which will be described in a paper to be published July 24 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, could speed the production of antibodies to treat a wide range of diseases and facilitate the development of new vaccines.
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