In a temporary hospital in Lima, Peru, COVID-19 Patients who were discharged showed symptoms long after their recovery. Upon examining, it is found that their immune system has been generating antibodies against their own body(Auto antibodies).

This type of misguided immune response may cause severe COVID-19 with persistent symptoms and also getting auto immune diseases like “systemic lupus” and “rheumatoid arthritis”. These two autoimmune diseases have no permanent cure  as research done by Akiko Iwasaki an immunologist at Yale University. He also said that even moderate to mild disease may induce this kind of antibody response.

Generally, B immune cells or B-cells make antibodies that recognize pieces of viral genetic material when a virus attacks humans. In lupus or rheumatoid condition, sometimes these B-cells think that the normally dead cell’s genetic material (without any infection) as a foreign one or intruder. So, generates autoantibodies. This type of similar response is found in some COVID-19 survivors now.

Dr.Woodruff said that among the top half of the most seriously ill  COVID -19  survived patients, more than 70% had  this type of autoantibodies.

Ann Marshak- Rothstein an immunologist & lupus expert at University of Massachusetts, Worcester has found that some of the autoantibodies are associated with blood flow problems like blood clots. She also said that if this type of immune response is not studies or given importance for research then there is a chance of permanent alteration of immune system in COVID-19 survivors can be seen.