Why immunity against some infections life (I have been ill with measles do not become infected again), but not others? Whether this is due to the variability of the virus?
Anton Yershov: Yes And no. Immunity is formed against the key elements of the virus that traditionally does not mutate.
the virus has antigens that are either mutated, or not. If antibodies produced to antigens that do not change and are contained in the body for a long time, the immunity can be lifelong. If antibodies are produced against variable antigen or titer of antibody falls sharply, the immunity will be valid for a short time. This happens with the flu is a seasonal illness and every year or two there is a new strain of the virus. So immunity to the flu acts in an average of six months.
due to the fact that the current coronavirus is SARS (that is, it is similar to the virus SARS-Cov that caused the epidemic of atypical pneumonia in 2002-2003), there is speculation that the immune to it will remain for two years. But the confirmed data yet.
Recover from severe COVID-19 will be better protected from re-infection compared to those who were sick with no symptoms or no big deal?
Anton Yershov: Now the media is filled with information about re-infections. But we must remember: repeated cases of disease is characteristic of any disease, and coronavirus in this sense not an exception.
Why may not develop should the immune system, providing protection during infection? The first variant is that a person can very easily ill. His body, although infection occurred, was not allowing the amount of virus that the body reacted to the infection seriously and has developed antibodies to it. That is, for the body is a mild form can go unnoticed. By the way, even measles can recover and twice, and thrice. Although it is believed that after the first case confers lifelong immunity.
the Second case is when the immune system is not formed, when a very severe course of the disease, when all the compensatory powers of the body are to maintain life in the moment and not on the formation of protection for the future. The body is just not strong enough for the formation of antibodies.
So what is the optimal case for a strong immune system formation – in the course of the disease is moderate and non-excessive use of medicines.
And who, and many experts say the threat of the second wave of the epidemic. There are already some data on this?
Anton Yershov: If we fail to fall, and that will not suppress the emergence of new cases and rate of spread of the virus, the second wave will be. Because it is a wholly seasonal virus, and in autumn and winter it will be activated.
What are the prospectss a vaccine? Some say that the anti-coronavirus to create a vaccine impossible, others (including the who) insist that the only way to overcome the epidemic.
Anton Yershov: Vaccine is created. But even if the whole world now will transfer power with any other vaccines in the vaccine for coronavirus, manufacture the required number of doses is 1.5-2 years. And second, before you proceed to mass production of a new vaccine, you must complete a very important stage of its testing, which should take also at least two, sometimes 3-4 years. To reduce the time of clinical trials correctly. We do not know what the consequences of the use of the new drug will be in the long term. Maybe the vaccine will cause cancer? Maybe it’s a genetic disorder of the fetus?
In the study, which you supervise, invite volunteers – those who had COVID-19 with a confirmed diagnosis, those in whom the symptoms were, but the test is the presence of the virus is not confirmed, and those who do not suffered from colds lately. They will donate blood. Find out whether the participants about the results?
Anton Yershov: All participants in the testing on a voluntary basis, receive information on the content and amount of antibodies in their body. After the completion of the study they will receive access to the results and conclusions made by the expert group.
help “RG”
Now it is assumed that people who recover from coronavirus infection get immune defenses – they can not be afraid of infection, which is especially important for physicians. Can become plasma donors. Scientists, doctors from different countries continue to explore new infection. The results of the Russian study will help to complete the picture of knowledge about the new coronavirus to resist infection. Laboratory “DNKOM” together with a number of medical institutions and biotechnology companies continues recruitment of volunteer participants before may 15.
