While some infectious diseases, such as measles, typically confer lifelong immunity after a single natural infection, many others do not. For these diseases, natural infection may only provide temporary protection, and individuals can experience repeated episodes throughout their lives. Key examples of infections without lifelong natural immunity: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and other coronaviruses: Natural immunity following infection with COVID-19 or common cold coronaviruses wanes over time. Reinfections can occur, sometimes as soon as several months after the initial illness, especially as the virus evolves and new variants emerge12. This is also true for other common cold viruses, which are coronaviruses or rhinoviruses, and do not provide lasting immunity¹. Influenza (Flu): Infection with influenza viruses does not result in lifelong immunity. The virus mutates frequently (antigenic drift and shift), and immunity from one strain does not necessarily protect against new strains, leading to possible reinfection year after year3. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): RSV commonly reinfects people throughout life, and natural...
🔒 Premium Content - For Free
Unlock this content by becoming a Global Health Press subscriber. Join for exclusive articles, expert research, and valuable insights!
I believe polio virus infection also bestows life-long protection against the same subtype of polio virus. I’m intrigued to know what ‘others’ means in your list of infections bestowing lifelong protection. Perhaps you could share please. Thanks.
Dear Christopher Ring,
you are right, poliovirus infection usually induces lifelong protection against the same serotype. Still, it is possible to suffer form “polio” (in principle) three times – with another serotype. “Other” pathogens may include HHV6, HHV7, hepatitis B (if uncomplicated) yellow fever. Again I stop here as we need to go by pathogen, of which there are more than 300 species. It get´s more complicated when you have a relevant underlying disease or are under an immune-modifying treatment. In that case no immunity “is not forever”.