ecco-domenica t1_ixyucy0 wrote
Reply to comment by feina635 in RSV - and what I thought/hoped was Mainers common sense by joeydokes
The reason it's blowing up is that widespread and repeated covid infections have damaged people's immune systems so they're more likely to get RSV and flu, making it more likely they get passed around to vulnerable people like children and elderly.
feina635 t1_ixz1l82 wrote
I suppose that’s a theory, but it’s not proven. Lack of prolonged lack of exposure to common viruses that’s normally have been well tolerated has certainly impacted the severity and intensity of cases
ecco-domenica t1_ixzx4vp wrote
That is also a theory that has been debunked. Just so you know. There's no such thing as an immunity gap.
Frankdrebbinnotacop t1_ixz0vt4 wrote
Yes, thank you for saying this.
We've all known for some time that covid causes damage to the immune system, yet some feel the need to craft ludicrous explanations for unprecedented illness among young people (who experienced massive exposure to covid).
The immune system "gap" discourse is absolute nonsense anyway. Those types of population level changes take generations, not say-- 2.5 years.
feina635 t1_ixzilpw wrote
Just curious where you're pulling your info from? My SO is an a Pediatric ICU doctor, who has been and is currently in the thick of everything. Literally THE person taking care of all the RSV/covid cases. So I'm just interested to know where you heard that the Immune system gap is "ludicrous" and specifically how covid causes long term damage to the immune system?
jarnhestur t1_iy3isab wrote
Wrong. There’s zero science that says everyone who gets COVID has a damaged immune system.
In fact, the more germs you are exposed to, the stronger your immune system tends to be. People who wore stayed home, didn’t interact with others in person, and were hyper conscious about germs are going to struggle to fight off this winters standard bugs.
ecco-domenica t1_iy6gm8a wrote
Nope. It's the opposite with covid. The more covid re-infections you get, even "mild" ones, the worse it tends to be for your immune system, tending to make you more vulnerable to other viruses as well as to more covid re-infections, and to long covid damage to your cardiac system, your brain, and your respiratory system. It's possible it can even re-activate viruses you've had previously, and as you say, RSV is an incredibly common virus.
Repeated covid infections are not equivalent to kids getting beneficial exposure to antigens by playing in the dirt, or coming home with a little runny nose from daycare every so often, or overcoming allergies by gradual repeated exposure.
It's starting to sink in, with those who are paying attention, that covid takes a cumulative toll on all systems of the body including immune response. Apply these effects across the huge population of people who've already had at least one infection, add in our inadequate vaccination/booster numbers and antipathy to mitigation, and you've got problems.
Look, I'm not here to argue about it or try to convince you or anyone else. It's complicated. Wait and see. Then, some day, remember what I said. But here's one summary of some current findings including several on immunological effects. I hesitate to post it because URLs generally just get ignored or cause more arguments but what the heck.
https://jessicawildfire.substack.com/p/you-may-be-early-but-youre-not-wrong
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/11/07/COVID-Reinfections-And-Immunity/
*I never said EVERYONE. You threw that in.
jarnhestur t1_iy86twn wrote
There's not a single scientific study showing that the majority of people who get COVID and recover have long term damage to their immune system. It's outright fear mongering from people who need to cling to something to dwell on.
Frankly, the mental health issues stemming from this fear mongering *at this point* are worse than getting COVID. Be happy, live your life, and stop the handwringing.
ecco-domenica t1_iyce0ao wrote
So as I predicted, you ignored the URLs which consisted of lists, summaries and analysis of recent and ongoing studies. Which you demanded I produce. All of which are published in reputable scientific journals. OK. My mental health is fine. But then, I'm not living in denial. You seem oddly triggered that an internet stranger is suggesting that all is not hunky dory if you're really so confident that it is. Wait and see. Just remember I told you.
jarnhestur t1_iycoiaj wrote
No, I read them - they are essentially arguing that there is no herd immunity, which also is an argument against the effectiveness of the vaccines. They also confirm what I said - the majority of people who get COVID recover just fine.
Again, your focusing on the uncommon cases, and potential ‘what if’s’, and things we don’t understand, and drawing conclusions off that.
joeydokes OP t1_iyb3ydj wrote
> People who wore [masks or] stayed home, didn’t interact with others in person, and were hyper conscious about germs are going to struggle to fight off this winters standard bugs.
No we're not, because we're still masking up (in public), still social distancing and still being vax'd . People doing none of the above are more likely to get infected; whether its a mild case or otherwise.
Your assertion that exposure makes our bodies more resilient is not untrue. That said, antibody resistance to CV19 will be different than resistance to RSV; or to flu virii, or herpes or any of the litany of other viruses (AOT bacterial) floating around out there.
I guess my assertion is improved resistance to germ A does not imply greater resistance to germ B. And, we're just talking respiratory virii here. And, FWIW, despite repeat exposure to germ A producing improved resistance down the road, you are not the same person down the road; you get older, weaker, .... you change (along w/your immunology).
What you're suggesting is akin to saying hey, I got malaria in SA, but skip the preventions, if I get hit again it won't be so bad. Except it is, and depending on the env, availability of medicine,.... could be much worse.
jarnhestur t1_iycoueg wrote
No. I’m saying that interacting with the word builds your immune system better than isolation. I think that isolation and being fearful leads to unhealthy mental state.
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