Did you know that, even after vaccination, there's a way to know if you've ever been infected

[intrepidity]

(at least, for the mRNA vaccines)

I did not know this until reading about this study:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/122875630

wherein they describe

Nucleocapsid protein is a biomarker associated with natural exposure

Unlike the natural exposure group that reacts uniformly to both nucleoprotein and full-length spike, vaccinees can be separated into two distinct groups of those who react to NP and those who do not. Natural exposure induces a dominant Ab response against the nucleocapsid protein (NP), but since NP is not in the vaccine, there is no vaccine induced response against it. In this way vaccinated people who had a prior natural exposure can be classified because they have Abs to NP. Vaccinated people who were never previously exposed lack Abs against NP. In this way seropositive HCW vaccinees can be separated into NP negative and NP positive groups.

The results in Figure 5B compare the Ab responses against the novel coronavirus antigens between the NP positive and NP negative vaccinees. The mean MFI for NP from SARS–CoV-2, SARS and MERS are low because the groups were selected on that basis. All of the other spike variants are elevated in the NP positive group compared to the NP negative group. This data further supports the advice that people who were previously exposed will still benefit from getting vaccinated.

Also, did you know we're called "vaccinees"? I wonder whether it's pronounced: vak-sin-EEZ or VAK-see-neez or vak-seen-EEZ or vak-SEEN-eez or?

[MontanaMama]

1. This is fascinating.

I've been so curious to know if I was ever exposed and never knew it. I wonder what this blood test costs?

[intrepidity]

4. I've wondered since last January when I was very ill

and then, when I finally got my shot a couple weeks ago, I thought: well, now I'll never know.

So I'm pleased that I may still be able to learn this, maybe.

[PortTack]

6. Same here...I was sick and then my cat..who was even sicker!!

[abqtommy]

2. I'm not so interested in knowing if I've had a natural covid infection but I am interested

in knowing that I've been vaccinated. And it's 9 days until my second Moderna jab, not
that I'm counting.

I don't really care what I'm called or how to pernounce (sic) it, either.

[intrepidity]

3. Eight days here

not that I'm counting, either.

[csziggy]

5. Interesting especially since my husband was just tested for Covid

We both got our second Pfizer vaccinations April 16 but he found out today that a friend was positive. The friend is doing OK, he's felt bad for a week, but his temperature was still high enough he called for help this morning. While he tested positive, given the duration of his illness and his current condition, the EMT verdict was that he is on the far side and will get better over the next week.

Since most weeks my husband plays games with that guy and a small group, my husband was concerned. He's scheduled to go to a family wedding this weekend and didn't want to bring Covid to the party. So he got tested this afternoon - he tested negative.

Most of the people in his gaming group have had their vaccinations. The sick guy has not, and neither has the nephew of the host. Now we're all worried about that nephew.

[OriginalGeek]

7. I'm pretty fancy

I'm a vack-sin-ay.

I got a letter after recently donating blood that 1 of 2 tests showed evidence of covid antibodies but that is to be expected since I am a vaccinay.

[intrepidity]

8. Heheh, ok than vack-sin-AY

You *are* fancy!