LONDON: A small but key study from the UK has found that “cellular immunity” to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic virus is present after six months in people who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, suggesting they might have some level of protection for at least that one time.
Scientists presenting the findings, out of 100 non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Britain, said they were “reassuring” but did not mean that people, in rare cases, could not be infected twice with the disease.
“While our findings cause us to be cautiously optimistic about the strength and duration of immunity generated after SARS-CoV-2 infection, this is only one piece of the puzzle,” said Paul Moss, professor of hematology at Britain’s University of Birmingham, who co-said the study.
“We still have a lot to learn before we have a full understanding of how immunity to COVID-19 works.”
Experts who were not directly involved in the study said their findings were important and would add to a growing body of knowledge about possible protective immunity against COVID-19.
The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed but was published online at bioRxiv, tested the blood of 100 patients six months after they had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. He found that while some of the patients’ antibody levels had decreased, their T-cell response, another key part of the immune system, remained strong.
“(Our) first results show that T cell responses may outlast the initial antibody response,” said Shamez Ladhani, a consultant epidemiologist at Public Health England who co-led the work.
The study also found that the size of the T-cell response differed and was considerably larger in people who had had symptomatic COVID-19 than in those who had no symptoms when infected.
The researchers said this could be interpreted in two ways: it is possible that increased cellular immunity could provide better protection against reinfection in people who had symptoms, or that asymptomatic patients are better able to fight the virus without generating a great immune response.
“These results provide reassurance that although the antibody titer to SARS-CoV-2 may drop below detectable levels within a few months of infection, some degree of immunity to the virus can be maintained,” said Charles. Bangham, chair of immunology at Imperial College London.
“This … bodes well for the long term, both in terms of vaccine development and the possibility of long-term protection against reinfection,” said Eleanor Riley, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Edinburgh. . However, he emphasized that “we still don’t know if the people in this study are protected from reinfection.”
While more than 46 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, confirmed cases of reinfection are so far very rare.
The coronavirus can worry kids: here’s how to speak up
Corona Conversations
In the wake of the coronavirus, several schools and universities in many parts of the world have been closed to contain the spread of COVID-19. As public awareness and conversations about the new virus increase, the situation can make children anxious and concerned about their family and friends.
Parents, family members, teachers, healthcare professionals, and trusted adults play an important role in helping children understand what they hear in an honest and accurate way and minimizing their fear or anxiety.
Dr. Sreenath Manikanti, Senior Consultant Neonatologist and HOD Fortis La Femme Hospital, Richmond Road, Bangalore, shares some tips to help facilitate the conversation about corona with children.
General principles when talking to children
– Remember that children react to how and what things are said
– Children pick up signals from the conversations you have with them and with other people.
– Listen patiently to what they say and allow them to ask questions.
– Avoid using words that can blame others and cause stigma.
– Remember that the virus can make anyone sick. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19
– Pay attention to what children see, hear or read on television, radio or online.
– Reduce the amount of screen time for children focused on COVID-19. Too much information on any topic can cause anxiety and worry
– Give children information that is honest and accurate. Provide information that is accurate and appropriate for the child’s age and developmental level.
– Talk with children about how some stories about COVID-19 on the internet and social media can be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
– Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.
– Keep calm and keep the information simple
– Assure children that school and health authorities are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.
– Teach dos and don’ts at home, schools, and playgrounds
Since
– Stay 6 feet away from people who are coughing, sneezing, or sick.
– Cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow and then throw the tissue into a closed container.
– Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom, and before eating or learning to prepare food.
– If soap and water are not available, teach children to use hand sanitizer
Not to do
– Avoid touching your mouth, nose, eyes and face with dirty hands.
– Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands.
– Avoid crowded places
– Avoid touching surfaces in public places and play areas unnecessarily
Discussion points on COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
– COVID-19 is the short name for ‘coronavirus disease 2019’
– It’s a new virus. Doctors are still learning more about it.
– Recently, this virus has made many people sick
– Doctors and scientists think that most people will be fine, especially children, but some people can get very sick.
– Doctors and experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.
