In summary, we find that IL-6 and sIL-6R serum levels are significantly increased in acute severe COVID-19 patients, and that increased sIL-6R levels can also be detected in mild COVID-19 convalescents several months after their infection, suggesting a long-term effect on sIL-6R generation, and thus IL-6 function due to the altered buffer, in these patients. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is infection.