Immunity to the coronavirus may last only a few months, UK study finds

Immunity to the coronavirus may last only a few months, UK study finds

英研究：對冠狀病毒的免疫力可能只持續幾個月

【摘要2020.7.27.自由】◎陳成良

People who have recovered from Covid -19 may lose their immunity to the disease within months, according to research suggesting the virus could reinfect people year after year, like common colds.

武漢肺炎（新型冠狀病毒病，COVID-19）患者康復後，可能會在數月內失去對該疾病的免疫力；研究顯示，武肺病毒可能會讓人們每年重複被感染，就像普通感冒一樣。

In the first longitudinal study of its kind, scientists analysed the immune response of more than 90 patients and healthcare workers at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust and found levels of antibodies that can destroy the virus peaked about three weeks after the onset of symptoms then swiftly declined.

在首個同類型縱貫性研究中，科學家分析（英國）「蓋伊和聖托馬斯國民保健信託基金會」的90多名患者和醫護人員的免疫反應，發現可以摧毀病毒的抗體水平，在症狀出現3週後達到高點，然後迅速下降。

Blood tests revealed that while 60% of people marshalled a "potent" antibody response at the height of their battle with the virus, only 17% retained the same potency three months later. Antibody levels fell as much as 23- fold over the period. In some cases, they became undetectable.

血液檢測發現，儘管60%的人在和病毒奮戰時體內產生「強有力的」抗體反應，但只有17%的人在3個月後還有同樣強大的抗體。在此期間抗體水平下降幅度達23倍。在某些情況下，甚至檢測不到抗體。

新聞辭典

longitudinal study：名詞，縱貫性研究，或稱長期性研究，是針對相同的個人或團體，在不同的年齡或發展階段，連續觀察其發展情形。形容詞longitudinal意為「縱向的」。

peak：動詞，達到高峰。例句：Official figures show that unemployment peaked in November.（官方數據顯示，失業率在11月達到頂點。）

marshal：動詞，整頓；配置；彙集。例句：The idea is to marshal the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.（這個思路是重新配置人體自身免疫系統來對抗腫瘤。）

SANXIA'S MOST FAMOUS SECRET：INDIGO DYEING

藍色狂想曲－－三峽藍染

【摘要2020.7.27.蘋果】

Indigo dyeing is an ancient art of dyeing and patterning clothes with an especially beautiful blue dye. The dye itself comes from the indigo plant, which grows very well in humid mountain climates. When fermented, the plant produces a brilliant blue dye. This blue dye can be used to color cloth—either before or after it is used to make clothing. Textile makers can use “tie-dyeing” methods to create beautiful and complex patterns.

藍染是一種用分外美麗的藍色染料、將衣服染色並加上花樣的古老技藝。這種染料本身來自藍染植物，這類植物很適合在山上的潮濕氣候生長。這種植物經過發酵後，會產生出鮮艷的藍色染料。這種藍色染料能用於染布上，不論是在做衣服之前或之後都可以。紡織師傅可以用「紮染」的方式來創造出美麗又複雜的花樣。

生活必備字詞

●dye　　vt. 染色 & n. 染料
The strange basketball player dyed his hair green.
●humid　　a. 潮濕的
●brilliant　　a. （色）鮮艷的；出色的