Individuals who have had severe COVID-19 or experience long-lasting cases of the disease are more likely to have a higher level of an important antibody which helps fight against future infection, a new study has found.

The study titled 'Determinants and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a diverse population: 6-month evaluation of a prospective cohort study,' was published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

The study was part of the Rutgers Corona Cohort Study, which followed 548 healthcare workers, and 283 non-healthcare workers, from the start of the pandemic so that they could better understand risk factors, antibody responses and symptoms associated with the infection.

The researchers found that, within 6 months of the study, more than 93 of the total 831 participants (11 percent) tested positive for the virus, or for antibodies. Of those, 24 had severe symptoms and 14 were asymptomatic.

About one-third of the participants showed symptoms which lasted for at least 1 month, including fatigue, shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell. Meanwhile, 10 percent had symptoms that lasted at least four months.

The study also found that healthcare workers were significantly more likely to become infected and have severe symptoms.

The study showed that antibody production varied based on severity of symptoms.

“It is normal for antibody levels to decline over time. Nevertheless, IgG antibodies provide long-term protection to help the body fight reinfection," Co-lead author Emily S Barrett was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

(With inputs from The Indian Express.)