It’s Not Over, Lasting Damage to Immune System & CD8+ T Cells
Declaring the pandemic over does not stop SARS-CoV-2. The new research on long COVID and immune dysfunction is worrying.
- COVID-19 can cause significant immune system dysfunction, similar to damage seen with hepatitis C or HIV.
- Damage to CD8+ T cells may lead to long COVID and a weakened immune response to future infections.
Beneath the surface, COVID-19 is causing lasting damage to our immune systems, especially the crucial CD8+ T cells, much like hepatitis C and HIV do. This immune dysfunction leads to increased reinfections and long COVID, with our defenses becoming weaker over time.
Researchers like Fei Gao, PhD, have found that the virus leaves our immune cells exhausted, impacting our ability to fight off future infections. The damage accumulates with each reinfection, making us more vulnerable not only to COVID-19 but other pathogens as well.
The need for frequent vaccine boosters is critical, particularly for high-risk groups. While some countries plan for yearly boosters, others, like the UK and Australia, recommend them every six months.
Our fight against COVID-19 isn’t over. To protect our immune health, we must stay vigilant with vaccines, masks, and public health measures. The hidden impacts of the virus persist, and our ongoing efforts are essential in maintaining our resilience.
1. Long-Term Immune System Damage:
- COVID-19 can cause significant immune dysfunction, similar to the long-term damage seen with viruses like hepatitis C or HIV.
2. Impact on CD8+ T Cells:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection damages CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for the immune response, leading to lasting immune system damage.
3. Consequences of Immune Dysfunction:
- This immune dysfunction may contribute to long COVID and weaken the body’s ability to respond to future infections, including new SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens.
4. Research Findings:
- Multiple studies confirm the severe immune dysregulation caused by COVID-19, even in non-hospitalized individuals, with markers of immune exhaustion increasing over time.
5. Implications for Future Health:
- The damage to the immune system could lead to persistent health issues, making it essential to avoid infections and maintain high immunity through vaccination and other public health measures.
6. Pandemic Perception vs. Reality:
- Many believe the pandemic is nearly over due to declining hospitalizations and deaths, thinking COVID-19 is now mild and less dangerous than the flu.
- Recent scientific reports indicate we are entering a phase marked by long COVID and chronic disability.
7. Increasing Infections of Other Diseases:
- Immune dysfunction from COVID-19 may be causing surges in other diseases like RSV, severe flu, severe Streptococcal infections, and Candida auris.
Declaring the pandemic over does not stop SARS-CoV-2. The new research on long COVID and immune dysfunction is worrying.
- COVID-19 can cause significant immune system dysfunction, similar to damage seen with hepatitis C or HIV.
- Damage to CD8+ T cells may lead to long COVID and a weakened immune response to future infections.
Beneath the surface, COVID-19 is causing lasting damage to our immune systems, especially the crucial CD8+ T cells, much like hepatitis C and HIV do. This immune dysfunction leads to increased reinfections and long COVID, with our defenses becoming weaker over time.
Researchers like Fei Gao, PhD, have found that the virus leaves our immune cells exhausted, impacting our ability to fight off future infections. The damage accumulates with each reinfection, making us more vulnerable not only to COVID-19 but other pathogens as well.
The need for frequent vaccine boosters is critical, particularly for high-risk groups. While some countries plan for yearly boosters, others, like the UK and Australia, recommend them every six months.
Our fight against COVID-19 isn’t over. To protect our immune health, we must stay vigilant with vaccines, masks, and public health measures. The hidden impacts of the virus persist, and our ongoing efforts are essential in maintaining our resilience.
1. Long-Term Immune System Damage:
- COVID-19 can cause significant immune dysfunction, similar to the long-term damage seen with viruses like hepatitis C or HIV.
2. Impact on CD8+ T Cells:
- SARS-CoV-2 infection damages CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for the immune response, leading to lasting immune system damage.
3. Consequences of Immune Dysfunction:
- This immune dysfunction may contribute to long COVID and weaken the body’s ability to respond to future infections, including new SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens.
4. Research Findings:
- Multiple studies confirm the severe immune dysregulation caused by COVID-19, even in non-hospitalized individuals, with markers of immune exhaustion increasing over time.
5. Implications for Future Health:
- The damage to the immune system could lead to persistent health issues, making it essential to avoid infections and maintain high immunity through vaccination and other public health measures.
6. Pandemic Perception vs. Reality:
- Many believe the pandemic is nearly over due to declining hospitalizations and deaths, thinking COVID-19 is now mild and less dangerous than the flu.
- Recent scientific reports indicate we are entering a phase marked by long COVID and chronic disability.
7. Increasing Infections of Other Diseases:
- Immune dysfunction from COVID-19 may be causing surges in other diseases like RSV, severe flu, severe Streptococcal infections, and Candida auris.
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