A coronavirus affected person within the US has been reinfected inside 48 days, suggesting immunity might not final lengthy all.
The case is the primary within the US, and the fifth confirmed reinfection worldwide.
The affected person, 25, lives in Washoe County, Nevada, and was contaminated with two distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants inside 48 days, whereas testing detrimental in between infections.
His second an infection was extra extreme, with signs together with fever, headache, dizziness, cough, nausea and diarrhoea, leading to hospitalisation.
Fortunately, the affected person has now been discharged from hospital.
Dr Mark Pandori, who led the research, mentioned: “There are nonetheless many unknowns about SARS-CoV-2 infections and the immune system’s response, however our findings sign {that a} earlier SARS-CoV-2 an infection might not essentially defend in opposition to future an infection.
“You will need to be aware it is a singular discovering and doesn’t present generalisability of this phenomenon. Whereas extra analysis is required, the opportunity of reinfections might have vital implications for our understanding of COVID-19 immunity, particularly within the absence of an efficient vaccine.
“It additionally strongly means that people who’ve examined constructive for SARS-CoV-2 ought to proceed to take severe precautions relating to the virus, together with social distancing, sporting face masks, and handwashing.”
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That is the fifth confirmed case of reinfection worldwide, with different instances confirmed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Ecuador.
Nonetheless, solely the case in Ecuador displayed a extra extreme response within the second an infection.
Dr Pandori mentioned: “We want extra analysis to know how lengthy immunity might final for individuals uncovered to SARS-CoV-2 and why a few of these second infections, whereas uncommon, are presenting as extra extreme.
“To date, we’ve solely seen a handful of reinfection instances, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t extra, particularly as many instances of COVID-19 are asymptomatic. Proper now, we will solely speculate about the reason for reinfection.”
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