Blood test reveals your viral history

摘要

You may remember the last time you had the flu, but what about that time you had measles - or was it chicken pox? Your blood knows: it keeps a record of every virus you have ever had. A tiny drop can now be tested to reveal your entire viral history. When a virus infects us, our immune cells produce antibodies that bind to proteins on the virus and neutralise it. These antibodies continue to be made long after the virus has gone, ready to mount a rapid response should it return.