Scary Covid-19 Antibody Stories Aren’t Worth the Angst
A decline in antibody levels among infected patients over time doesn’t mean their immunity is waning. Here’s the science behind why.
There are many things to worry about when it comes to the novel coronavirus. Falling antibodies isn’t one of them.
Photographer: Milan Jaros/BloombergA recent study out of the U.K. showing declining antibodies in people who had been infected with Covid-19 has gained attention, stoking fears that acquired immunity from exposure to the virus may not last. There are many things to worry about when it comes to the novel coronavirus. This isn’t one of them, at least not yet, and it’s important to understand why.
First, an immunology primer. After we encounter a new infection, several different cells that are distributed throughout the body — especially in areas often exposed to the external environment such as the skin and surfaces of our lungs and intestines — either directly attack the pathogen or sound a chemical alert system. This is what’s known as our innate immune system, and it is the first line of defense against infections.