20 Commonly Asked Questions About Natural Immunity and Viruses
Most people have experienced catching a cold or have heard that they need to get their flu shot this year. Viruses are a common issue we deal with every day.
With the Covid-19 pandemic ongoing, virus awareness has increased, but there are still some common questions.
Here we'll cover 20 common questions about immunity and viruses, so you're better informed. The information below comes from medically-reviewed resources and supported by current scientific consensus.
1. What is Natural Immunity?
Natural Immunity occurs when a virus infects you, and your immune system remembers the virus that caused the illness. As a result, the immune system creates antibodies. These antibodies fight off the virus if you come into contact with it again.
This way, your body is better prepared to fight the virus, and can help prevent infection or make your next infection less severe. This information comes from WebMD.
2. Does Natural Immunity Wear Off?
The answer depends on the virus, and natural immunity can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime, according to Healthline.
Some diseases -like measles or chickenpox- immunity can almost always last a lifetime. Once you're vaccinated or catch the virus, it's unlikely you will catch it again. Other viruses and vaccines may provide immunity for a shorter period, and you'll need booster shots or additional doses.
3. Can you test for Natural Immunity?
Natural immunity is usually established when you have antibodies present from a virus. There are antibody tests for several viruses, including Covid-19, according to the CDC. However, their effectiveness and reliability are still under discussion.
If you are curious about if an antibody test is relevant for your situation, you should contact your doctor for suggestions.
4. Is Natural Immunity better than a vaccine?
Even if you have natural immunity, getting the Covid-19 vaccine is still important according to Johns Hopkins.
Each virus is different. When it comes to Covid-19, current medical guidance suggests getting a vaccine even if you have natural antibodies. Natural immunity bolstered by vaccines has even been found to provide the greatest level of immunity.
For Covid-19, the general recommendation is to get vaccinated if you have no conflicting conditions. If you have any questions or concerns on how you should proceed with vaccination, you should contact your doctor for guidance.
5. What is a virus?
A virus is a microscopic entity that requires a host to replicate and spread, according to Medical News Today.
Viruses work by infecting the cells of a host and using them to help produce more copies of itself. This process can harm or even kill the host's cells, disrupting normal functions and causing illness.
6. What is a Vaccine?
Vaccines train your immune system to fight a disease before you come into contact with it, according to the World Health Organization.
A vaccine introduces your body to a particular disease's properties in a safe and controlled manner. This way, it may learn about the threat and prepare a response. This is so you can help avoid infection and serious illness, as your body is already familiar with the virus.
7. What is a Vaccine Booster?
After your initial dose of a vaccine you may need a booster shot to help support your continued immunity, according to Johns Hopkins.
Effectiveness and length of immunity will vary per disease and vaccine. So for some vaccines, the immunity they offer may decrease over time. In this case, doctors will recommend a booster shot, to help raise your immunity levels.
8. What does the immune system do?
The immune system protects your body against infection from viruses, bacteria, and other microbes, according to Johns Hopkins.
When your body is exposed to a new foreign substance, your immune system responds by activating defenses. This allows your body to fight it so that it does not continue to replicate and harm your body.
One of the most important functions of the immune system is its ability to remember substances you have encountered. If you come across it again, you can be better prepared to fight it off.
9. Can you catch the same virus twice?
Yes, it is possible to catch the same virus twice, based on the Cleveland Clinic's guidance on coronavirus.
In the case that your immunity does not last, or if it's not effective, you may experience another infection from a virus you already contracted. The likelihood of this depends on the virus and your immune response. It's important to be vigilant and understand what precautions you need to take.
10. How does a virus spread?
Viral Infections often cause side effects like sneezing and coughing. These are common ways a virus spreads, according to the CalTech Science Exchange.
If you're infected, and the virus begins to replicate in your body, you can carry it in your bodily fluids. The virus spreads when expelling these fluids, like when you cough or sneeze. Even just breathing and talking can help carry droplets to transmit the virus.
There are other ways viruses can spread, like through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials.
11. What is a virus variant?
As viruses find new hosts and replicate, they can create new mutations according to History of Vaccines.
These mutations establish a new "variant" of the original virus. These mutations can bring along new properties. Some new variants will be more infectious, less harmful, or even present new symptoms.
12. How long do viruses last?
The severity of the virus and your infection will determine how long your infection will last, according to WebMD.
Some viruses like the common cold, will not present with many symptoms, and will not last very long. More severe strains of flu and other viruses can cause illness for much longer periods, and leave lasting damage.
If you're worried you've contracted a virus or want to know more about preventing them, contact your doctor so they can help evaluate your risk.
13. What is herd immunity?
When vaccine-induced immunity or natural immunity is present in a large part of a community, then a virus is much less likely to spread. This is called Herd Immunity, or Community Immunity, according to APIC.
Herd Immunity has allowed some diseases to be completely eradicated, such as smallpox and polio in many areas of the world. Herd Immunity is important because it also protects those people in a community that cannot get vaccinated due to compromised immune systems and other health conditions.
14. Why do I need a flu shot every year?
For some vaccines, we're set after one shot or getting a boost much later down the line. But all viruses are unique, and some can have properties that pose more of a risk to us. The Mayo Clinic describes flu viruses as a family of viruses that evolve quickly, so we must receive new protection each year.
When you receive a flu vaccine, you will be getting vaccinated against a particular strain. By the time the next flu season comes around, a new strain will become the most prominent. To keep your immune system prepared for this newer strain, you should get a new vaccine.
15. What side effects do vaccines have?
Some possible mild side effects occur with vaccines. Vaccine side effects are a sign that your immune system is beginning to build up immunity. These common side effects can include things like soreness at the site of the shot, chills, fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches.
These should go away quickly if they happen at all. More serious vaccine side effects occur due to things like an allergic reaction. If you experience dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid heartbeat, or sudden rash, then you should seek immediate medical treatment.
This information is sourced from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
16. Who shouldn't take a vaccine?
Vaccines are generally safe, but some conditions can exclude some people from getting them. These are specific cases, usually involving allergic reactions to some vaccines, or age, and other health conditions.
The CDC offers guidance on many vaccines and who may be excluded from getting them. Still, each case is unique, so you should speak with your doctor if you have concerns about your eligibility. They can help determine if you are safe to receive a particular vaccine.
17. What are antibodies?
Antibodies are developed when your body is infected or learns about a virus through vaccination, according to Medical News Today.
Antibodies are responsible for identifying the entities causing infection in our body and marking them for removal, and even destroying them themselves. Individual antibodies will be created to respond to a particular virus, so antibodies for chickenpox won't protect you from Covid-19, for instance.
18. How can I make my immune system stronger?
Research is still ongoing on how we can decisively enhance our immune system, but there are some good practices to follow that may help keep your immune system at the top of its game.
According to Harvard Medical School, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important so that all of your body performs at its best, including your immune system. Managing your stress levels and ensuring you are getting proper nutrients can help ensure your immune system is not weakened if nothing else.
If this is an ongoing concern, you may consult with your doctor for their recommendation. In the case that there is a medicine available to help, you may be able to get a prescription online.
19. Can a virus be treated with antibiotics?
No, viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, as advised by the CDC.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, while antivirals or vaccines are used for viral infections. Using an antibiotic when not instructed by your doctor can lead to harmful effects, so if you are worried about an infection consult with your doctor before seeking treatment options.
Generally, antibiotics should not be available over-the-counter, so if you do need a prescription, you may be eligible to get a doctor's prescription online.
20. Should I try to get infected on purpose?
In the past, things like "pox parties", were popular ways to expose children to an illness like chickenpox early, so that they would build immunity and not risk a more serious infection later on. But this method still poses a lot of risks, and the superior prevention method is to receive a more safe and consistent vaccine.
This information is covered by Medical News Today, and Stanford Children's Health covers the question in response to coronavirus. Not all viruses act the same, so catching a virus may make you more ill than you expect, and you may not even develop lasting immunity.
Conclusion
Viruses are a common problem that we must be prepared for to ensure our health and prevent the spread and infection amongst members of our community as well. By gaining more information on the nature of viruses and community it should help you understand why they should be taken seriously, and how you can handle them effectively.
Viruses come in many forms and cause many different illnesses. While making healthy lifestyle choices and following proper hygiene guidelines can help care for your immune system and prevent spread, some viruses may be more severe and call for more particular responses.
For any questions about your risks and concerns with viruses, it is always best to seek the advice of your doctor and other medical professionals.
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