When a person is infected with a coronavirus such as SARS-CoV2, the immune system produces antibodies against a component in the virus. In the case of COVID-19 infections, the SARS-CoV2 virus is made up of RNA surrounded by spike proteins. The spike proteins latch onto cells within the infected individual and the viral RNA replicates allowing the virus to spread and infect more cells. To combat the coronavirus, the immune system must recognize the spike proteins and begin producing antibodies in response.