Researchers in Japan have announced an encouraging discovery regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
It appears many people have antibodies for at least six months after they are infected.
Yokohama City University and other institutions conducted a study of 376 people in their 20s to 70s.
The subjects were infected between February and May and gave blood samples six months later.
The researchers found what are called neutralizing antibodies in the blood samples.
They were present in nearly all of those with mild or no symptoms and in everyone who had suffered moderate or serious symptoms.
Neutralizing antibodies are believed to weaken the functions of a virus and prevent subsequent infections.
The researchers say that people who had been in serious condition tend to have stronger antibodies.
That suggests there may be a lower risk of re-infection for at least six months.
The researchers say the finding is good news for developing vaccines.
◆antibody 抗体 Antibodies are substances which a person's or an animal's body produces in their blood in order to destroy substances which carry disease.
It appears many people have antibodies for at least six months after they are infected.
Yokohama City University and other institutions conducted a study of 376 people in their 20s to 70s.
The subjects were infected between February and May and gave blood samples six months later.
The researchers found what are called neutralizing antibodies in the blood samples.
They were present in nearly all of those with mild or no symptoms and in everyone who had suffered moderate or serious symptoms.
Neutralizing antibodies are believed to weaken the functions of a virus and prevent subsequent infections.
The researchers say that people who had been in serious condition tend to have stronger antibodies.
That suggests there may be a lower risk of re-infection for at least six months.
The researchers say the finding is good news for developing vaccines.
◆antibody 抗体 Antibodies are substances which a person's or an animal's body produces in their blood in order to destroy substances which carry disease.
◆conduct 実施する、実行する When you conduct an activity or task, you organize it and carry it out.
◆neutralizing 中和する、中性化する、無力化する To neutralize something means to prevent it from having any effect or from working properly.