Getting sick from a harmless coronavirus may protect you from COVID-19, researchers at the University of Zurich recently found.
A team of researchers found that antibody responses from previous coronavirus infections can help create immunity to COVID-19.
- “People who have had strong immune responses to other human coronaviruses also have some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Alexandra Trkola, head of the Institute of Medical Virology at the university, according to SciTechDaily.
The researchers reviewed antibody levels from people sick from coronaviruses before SARS-CoV-2 was around and compared them to samples taken from people infected with COVID-19.
- “Our study shows that a strong antibody response to human coronaviruses increases the level of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. So someone who has gained immunity to harmless coronaviruses is therefore also better protected against severe SARS-CoV-2 infections,” Trkola said, per SciTechDaily.
In recent weeks, researchers have been reviewing how antibodies can protect people from COVID-19.
Otherwise, researchers suggest you receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to stay safe from the novel coronavirus. Officials recommend that everyone receives their COVID-19 vaccine or their booster shots as the winter months approach.