Can People Who Have Been Infected with the Corona Virus Covid-19 Get Infected Again?

Kapanlagi.com - Many questions about someone who has been declared cured of the corona virus, can they be infected again? This is certainly a concern for the public. Another shocking fact is that there are Chinese citizens who, after recovering from this virus, test positive for covid-19 again.

The corona virus or commonly known as covid-19 is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. This virus first appeared in Wuhan, China in late December 2019. Corona covid-19 can affect anyone of all ages and has the potential to cause death.

This virus can also cause severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia, Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). WHO states on its official website that the corona virus covid-19 can be transmitted through droplets of saliva or from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, physical contact such as shaking hands, kissing, and others.

Until now, the number of positive corona cases continues to increase. This virus is a new type of virus, so there is still much to be learned by doctors and health experts. So far, no tested vaccine has been found to protect against this new type of corona virus. However, in response to this, several researchers are currently developing it.

1. According to Expert Views

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Professor Mark Harris, a virology expert at the University of Leeds, later explained that reinfection with the coronavirus is unlikely, but he then explained that some scientific studies have shown there are some cases of reinfection in animals, as reported by The Guardian.

Meanwhile, another point was conveyed by Patrick Vallance, a virology expert from Leeds University, who then explained that cases of reinfection with the coronavirus are very rare occurrences. Research on the coronavirus also shows that this virus should not be able to cause reinfection.

Why does this happen? Because when a person has been infected with the coronavirus or COVID-19, they will have a strong immune system. Therefore, it is very rare to get infected again.

2. China Reports at Least 14% Reinfected

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At the end of February, Reuters reported on a woman in Osaka, Japan who tested positive for the coronavirus again after being declared recovered previously. Similar cases have been reported in South Korea.

This has surprised some scientists, as it was previously known that those who have been infected with the coronavirus would develop immunity and would not be reinfected.

When Vallance was asked if the case in Japan meant that group immunity could no longer be obtained, he answered that some people do get infected for a second time, but it is rare. He added that there is no evidence to suggest that it will happen with the coronavirus.

3. Impact on Immunity?

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Usually, when the immune system defeats a virus infection, they know how to defeat it again, in other words, they become immune. The exception is if the patient has an immune deficiency syndrome (such as HIV patients).

So, why can the coronavirus attack again? First, there is a possibility that the infection remains inactive after the initial attack of the coronavirus with minimal symptoms before attacking the lungs. The second possibility is due to inaccuracies in the testing stage against the patient. Meaning, the patient is discharged in a not fully recovered condition.

However, when the virus is successfully defeated by the immune system, the body knows how to defeat the virus again. But, this condition does not apply to patients with immune deficiency syndromes (such as HIV patients).

4. What Happens to the Body After Recovering from Corona

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According to former patients or individuals who have been infected with the coronavirus, after being declared recovered from the coronavirus, their bodies still store pathogens in their respiratory tract for 37 days. This means that the coronavirus pathogen can still be contagious for weeks.

Therefore, after being declared recovered from corona, it is advisable to self-quarantine for 14 days. This is because the virus can still persist at low levels in the body even after someone has recovered from a disease, but weakened viruses still circulating in the human system tend to trigger a stronger immune response than before.

(kpl/dtm/gen)