Hubby is retired military (Go, Navy!), and neither one of us are getting the jab. The VA has sent him several letters and emails, encouraging him to get the vax. He talked to his PA about doing a blood test to check for antibodies since more and more doctors and medical professionals are saying natural immunity after contracting Covid is better than the vaccine. She told him the VA won't allow her to do it. When he asked why, she said they would rather he get the jab. Not much of an answer, I know, but her hands are essentially tied.
Fast forward a few weeks. Hubby went to a Fast Pace facility for a minor injury. The NP who works there lives in our neighborhood. They got to talking about Covid stuff, and he told her about the VA refusing to do an antibody test. She said, "I'll do it!'
Five days later, the results showed he still has antibodies from when we both had Covid last September. I decided to do the same, and my results were positive for antibodies as well.
I've been an RN for over 30 years. My understanding of most colds, flu, etc. is that you usually keep antibodies for that particular strain for 2-3 months, tops. The fact that ours are still in our systems for over a year makes me wonder if the theory about lifetime immunity to Covid may be true.
Has anyone else been tested for antibodies?
I've done quite a bit of reading this last year on it, here's my understanding:
Antibodies are the first things to form. They're a robust defense. They can last months to years. The Antibodies do fade, not sure if there's a halflife or what.
However, having no Antibodies doesn't mean no protection. Your B and T cells reusing retain that memory. Basically having that defense after a phone call instead of on site.
There's another option that's very likely too, you got covid again and didn't know it. Whether that's because, statistically most people seem to have no symptoms or your previous infection protected you, I don't know.
You always have SOME protection from previous infections. Viruses, RNA viruses specifically, have an extremely high mutation rate. So if you were exposed to influenza (not flu like most people use it, I literally mean influenza) last year then the "child" of that virus this year will be able to do a lot less damage.