Some COVID-19 survivors have reportedly been carrying antibodies that turn against their own immune system, causing worry and concern about the long-term impact of the coronavirus, according to a new study.
What’s going on?
Some COVID-19 survivors have seen their body produce “autoantibodies,” which target genetic material of the human cell instead of the coronavirus, The New York Times reports.
- This means that “the body’s defense system in these patients shifted into attacking itself, rather than the virus,” according to The New York Times.
- One note: The study was not published in a scientific journal, according to Axios.
Why it matters:
The findings may be an indication of why some COVID-19 patients suffer from long-term symptoms for months after their diagnosis.
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The antibody response is similar to what happens in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients. This could mean doctors may find a way to treat these customers much easier.
- “Using existing tests that can detect autoantibodies, doctors could identify patients who might benefit from treatments used for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. There is no cure for these diseases, but some treatments decrease the frequency and severity of flare-ups,” according to The New York Times.