Hi, I have just had a corona infection. Fortunately, the symptoms were very mild. Possibly the mildest I’ve experienced in years. Can I now assume that I am a little better protected and hopefully remain? Or does that have nothing to do with it? Can a ‘controlled’ infection contribute to herd immunity? Is it the case that the virus will eventually weaken or will we become more immune? Or a combination of both? Sincerely
Answer
You are indeed better protected after an infection. That does not mean that, in case of corona, you can no longer become infected or ill, but the chance of serious illness is much smaller. How long this protection lasts cannot be said with certainty, which is why a booster is recommended for vaccinations. Whether we have a 4e5e whether or not more shots will be needed the future will tell.
In addition, viruses mutate. Vaccinations apparently provide lifelong protection for some viral diseases, but not for others. Clear mutations were demonstrated in corona. Hence the terms alpha, beta, gamma, delta, omikron, …. against which previous vaccinations or immunity after an illness offer a certain protection.
A controlled infection does not really exist: it is a living thing and you can never really control it.
Will there ever be a mutation that is very deadly and contagious and against which the existing vaccines have no effect? Very unlikely. Ideal would be: a highly contagious virus that at most gives everyone a cold. After that, everyone is immune for a sufficient time (group immunity) and the pandemic dies out.
Answered by
Dr Mistiaen Wilhelm
Prinsstraat 13 2000 Antwerp
http://www.uantwerpen.be
.