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id=”article-body” class=”row” section=”article-body”> <u>No, a positive antibody test doesn’t mean you’re immune.</u> <b>Karen Ducey/Getty Images</b> <u>For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.</u> As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, researchers worldwide are looking for a way to control the virus. One key development we’ll need to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus is herd immunity, which is when a high percentage of people in a given community are immune against the disease.Herd immunity is the best way to prevent contagious diseases from circulating throughout a population because it slows down or eliminates the spread of the virus from person to person. But the concept of herd immunity raises questions about coronavirus immunity in general — can you even be immune to the novel coronavirus? How would you know? Can you test for immunity? <b><u>CNET Wellness</u></b> <u><i>Our Health & Wellness newsletter puts the best products, slot online updates and advice in your inbox.</i></u> I spoke with Dr.
Joseph Vinetz, an expert in infectious diseases at Yale Medicine, the clinical practice of the Yale School of Medicine. I wanted to get a better idea of the current scientific knowledge surrounding these important questions. While the situation is changing rapidly, here’s what we currently know about whether you can develop immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Can I be immune to the novel coronavirus? Vinetz says immunity means that you’re “resistant to infection.” While we have a pretty good understanding of what immunity is generally, scientists still don’t know if you can become immune to the novel coronavirus yet. So far, we’ve been able to test for antibodies that can indicate a past exposure to the novel coronavirus.
But, testing positive for antibodies just means you’ve had an immune response to the virus, not that you’re necessarily immune. A positive antibody test has meant immunity for other diseases in the past, but the World Health Organization has warned that scientists don’t know if this finding applies to SARS-CoV-2. Long story short, the answer to this question is a soft maybe — an answer you should get used to when inquiring about coronavirus immunity and cures.
While scientists are working around the clock to learn more about this virus, we still don’t have many definitive answers. <u><i>Coronavirus updates</i></u> <b><u>Tracking your stimulus check</u></b> <i><u>How immunity might work</u></i> <b><u>Can homemade masks keep you safe?</u></b> <b>News, advice and more about COVID-19</b> <b>Is there a coronavirus immunity test?</b> There are a lot of “coronavirus tests” floating around, and most of them test for different things.
The one that’s relevant to coronavirus immunity is called an antibody test, and it indicates whether you’ve ever had COVID-19. Note that antibody tests don’t tell you if you currently have the disease or if you’ve recovered. Right now the only way to get an antibody test is by asking your doctor or another licensed healthcare provider to order lab work for you.
