The immune system has its own way to deal with various viruses and germs. Scientists are seeing a different pattern in immune system of people recovering from the coronavirus. Researchers who have been analyzing immune responses to the COVID-19 are now beginning to observe promising signs of strong, lasting immunity even in patients that have only endured mild symptoms of the virus.

Reportedly, immune cells called T cells and B cells that are capable of identifying the virus along with some of the disease-fighting antibodies, seem to persist in the body months after the treatment of infections.

However, researchers cannot estimate the timeline of these immune responses. Nevertheless, experts are still considering this data as a welcome indication stating that the immune system’s most diligent cells are performing their job, ensuring to effectively fend off the coronavirus more fervently than earlier.

Speaking on the development, Marion Pepper, Immunologist, The University of Washington, said that this result is exactly what researchers hope for. Apparently, all the essential elements are still present to deliver a totally protective immune response.

But as of now, the claim of protection against reinfection cannot be entirely confirmed unless there is enough data to show that most people who went through this virus once are able to keep it at bay during the second time.

Additionally, the findings might help quell some of the newly formed concerns over the virus’s capability to throw the immune system into amnesia, thereby leaving patients susceptible to repeated bouts of disease.

Researchers are yet to discover unambiguous evidence proving that COVID-19 reinfections are happening, particularly within few months of rippling through the human immune system, added Pepper.

Smita Iyer, Immunologist, University of California, Davis, claims the findings to be promising and calls for some optimism about the herd immunity, and potentially a vaccine.

Source Credit: https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-nyt-covid-immunity-mild-infections-20200817-hvv4tiiu5feklclx47bc74el34-story.html