That stumped me. Take chicken pox pre-vaccine. Pediatricians counted the number of blisters to estimate whether the child would develop immunity to it (12 min). Symptoms were required otherwise there was no “case”. Antibodies developed only when the case was full blown. Either way, both were included in case counts.
What is different about the novel coronavirus? Why are asymptomatic carriers defined as having the flu or “a case”? Do they develop immunity via antibodies if they've been infected without getting symptoms?
Are assymptomatic carriers considered a “case”? Is that true during flu season when most of us are exposed to flu but don't get sick? In fact, do people get tested for the flu when asymptomatic?
I've always heard that once you get a virus and symptoms develop, you can't get that virus again. But I've heard today that scientists do not know if Wuhan virus can reoccur if one has antibodies to it?
Thanks N and V for this thoughtful post!
Yes asymptomatic positive tests are a case. As for immunity once you have a virus you mount an immune response that synthesizes antibodies. It would defy literally everything we know about the immune system were this untrue. The theories about no immunity are I think some scientists trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame by seeming smart
Consider this...if no immunity than convalescent plasma would not be a thing and the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies for treatment which was an article yesterday talking about a bridge to vaccine would not be a thing
People have to twist logic into a pretzel to say on one hand we have a treatment with convalescent plasma while simultaneously arguing there is not an immune protection.