Post-COVID Immunity Facts You Should Know

Written by Leslie K. Hughes

In addition to worrying about getting COVID one time, many people are worried about the possibility of getting it again. And with the addition of the Delta variant to the scene, many people wonder if new strains are more infectious than the original COVID virus. 

However, recent studies show that there is hope for immunity after becoming infected with COVID. 

Though you can still get COVID a second time, chances are good that the second time may not be as serious as the first.

How is this possible?

According to Scientific American, the body keeps “reserve armies of antibody-producing cells in addition to the original cells that responded to the initial invasion by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.” That means that over time, some of those cells mutate and produce antibodies that work to fight against not only the original COVID strain, but other versions of it as well. 

In addition to that, blood samples that Rockefeller University immuniologist Michel Nussenzweig collected from COVID survivors one month after infection and then again six months later showed some promise. Even though the antibody levels were lower at month six than month one, that was expected because the person no longer had the virus. The key takeaway from these samples is that the cells that make antibodies, called memory B cells, remained just as prevalent in the blood over time. These cells can recognize the virus.

Thus, if you happen to get COVID a second time, as stated by Scientific American, “memory B cells activate, quickly produce antibodies, and block the virus from creating a second serious infection.” 

So how long do you have immunity after COVID? 

There is no definite answer to that, but the antibody levels in many people who were infected with COVID remained high enough to likely protect a person from a second infection for up to eight months after infection. 

And when it comes to new strains of COVID, your memory B cells play a major role. Part of your immune system’s job is to create all different types of memory B cells so that they can recognize different strains and hopefully help to protect you from serious infection. 

One of the best ways to ensure that you remain protected against COVID, and that you protect others from the virus, is to get regularly tested.

Sameday Health makes COVID testing easy. You can schedule an appointment online at one of our clinic locations across the country, or you can schedule to have us come to you and do the testing in the comfort of your own home.