At this phase, it is indistinct where COVID-19 falls on the immunity spectrum. Though most people with SARS-CoV-2 appear to harvest antibodies, “we simply don’t know yet what it takes to be successfully protected from this infection”.

Researchers are scrambling to answer two questions:

How long do SARS-CoV-2 antibodies twig around?

Do they protect against reinfection?

Immunity to coronaviruses usually causing the common cold will start declining after couple of weeks after the infection. Some people become vulnerable to re-infection within a year. Antibody test shows SARS CoV immunity would peak around 4 months and offer protection for 2-3 years.

Even if the antibody sticks in our body it is not yet clear that they will prevent further infection. Neutralizing antibodies are the proteins that would prevent and reduce the infection by binding the part of the virus that connects to and unlocks host cells. In other way the non-neutralizing antibodies would still recognize part of pathogens, but do not bind effectively so would not prevent it from invading the cells.

What is the use of this these antibody tests is it will measure the level of antibodies? It is the response of the body after a week or two of getting infected with COVID-19. The antibody test is able to test the measurement of antibodies present in the blood serum. The Serological or antibody test indicates if a person had COVID-19 in the past, if they are asymptomatic or recovered. The immunity tests might give false negative or positive results. There is not enough evidence whether serological tests can confirm whether a person has immunity or is no longer at a risk of re infection.

Recent studies have shown that risk of repeat COVID-19 infection lowered by atleast 80% among those who got one episode of COVID-19 infection and less than 1% got re-infected. Studies have also shown that this immunity due to previous infection stayed for more than 10 months.

Researchers have suggested that immunity from recovery from an infection maybe considered equal to vaccine for travel purposes. Until enough evidence accumulates, please take COVID precautions during travel or visit to public places during a COVID wave.