No, you probably can’t get COVID-19 8 times!

Some news stories say that there are 8 different strains of the new coronavirus. Strains are versions of a virus with small differences in their genetic code. The good news is that, no, you probably can’t catch all 8!

When we get sick with a new virus, our immune system fights back. And to protect us from getting sick with the same virus again, it creates antibodies to recognize the new virus. Antibodies remain in our bodies long after we feel better; they help us detect and fight off the same virus if we come into contact with it again.

As viruses spread, they can develop mutations: random changes in their genetic code. If the mutations are big, it’s possible that antibodies won’t recognize the virus properly. Most often, though, the mutations are so small, or occur so rarely, that the virus doesn’t meaningfully change and our antibodies work just fine.

This is also good news for making vaccines. Flu viruses change often enough that we need a new flu vaccine every year. But scientists think that the novel coronavirus mutates slowly, so one vaccine should do the trick. (And no, probably for the same reason, doctors don’t think you can get COVID-19 more than once in the short term.)

Last updated April 3, 2020 at 8:42am ET
Science Review by: ERS, JAB