jamey said:

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So of you arent sick X number of days later you're probably immune and can safely lick hand rails again

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dr_boogs said:

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Here's a brief rundown:

The body makes different types of antibodies, which are complex proteins made by specific cells of the immune system. They have various names based on structure and function, IgM, IgG, with more complexity built in to each type.

Antibodies circulate through the blood and tissues and due to their unique structure, bind/interact with the cell surface or virus capsule. Once the antibody (Ab) has bound to the pathogen, it signals other cells of the immune system to internalize the Ab-pathogen complex and destroy or sequester the pathogen, removing it from the tissue or circulation. It's a fascinating component of the immune system.

Related to the OP, antibodies can be acquired from other people through blood/plasma transfusions, an infant nursing a mother and having Ab transfer through milk, or by being exposed to the pathogen previously.

So the point of the OP is that one likely explanation for such a high % of the Italians in that town having antibodies to COVID but no symptoms is that they were exposed to COVID, experienced minor or no symptoms, and their bodies created Abs to the virus.

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boulderaggie said:

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Excellent explanation. Even a caveman like me could understand it.

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