Habr user and molecular biologist Alena Makarova said whether it makes sense to get vaccinated with COVID-19
The specialist notes:There is tense and unstrained (that is, long-term) immunity. It is important that the first (if we talk specifically about COVID-19) lasts at least one or two years, and the second – only three to seven months. And if you get sick, you will be given a QR code valid for six months. Experts also often talk about the need to get vaccinated two to three months after recovery, and there are several arguments in favor of this.
- COVID-19 get sick again. A person may not develop a stableimmunity to coronavirus, especially if he was mildly ill or was treated for a cytokine storm. True, it is not yet possible to accurately determine the frequency of re-infection, since scientific articles give different figures. You also need to remember that the level of protection against the virus in any case decreases over time.
- A lot of antibodies are needed to protect against the "Delta" variant. This strain spreads throughout the bodyfaster, more contagious. The sick person releases 10-100 times more viral particles compared to previous variants, and this happens when the symptoms of the disease have not yet begun to appear (during the incubation period). And these particles are also able to “hide” from the immune system. In general, a strong immune system protects a person from this strain.
- The second time you can get sick more severely. This mainly applies to the elderly and thosewho have chronic diseases. But young people can also become seriously ill. It is known that the “Delta” strain occurs not only in young people, but also in children. The number of hospitalizations among young people has also increased – twice.
In addition, transferred in a mild form to the firstonce the disease – this is not a guarantee that this will happen a second time. The course of the disease depends on immunity, the method of infection, and the dose of infection received.
- Immunity will be stronger after vaccination. In fact, the experience of Covid suppressesimmunity. For example, a person may experience impaired dendritic cell function for up to seven months. And if the disease proceeds in a severe form, then after it the germinal centers of the lymph nodes are practically “destroyed”. We must not forget about treatment with immunosuppressants, which negatively affects the immune system.
- The epidemic won't end tomorrow. Due to the rapid spread of the Delta strainand increasing its infectiousness (one person can infect on average six to eight people), the pandemic will not end soon. To stop it, it will take six to eight people – five to seven were immune to the virus. This means that 80-90 percent of the population must be vaccinated or get sick. And even in this case, a constant reservoir of the virus will remain in nature. In addition, animals also get sick from Covid.
- Vaccination and long covid... Scientifically proven that up to 25 percentthose who have recovered from the coronavirus are faced with symptoms of a long covid: weakness, fever, arrhythmia, memory impairment, etc. At the same time, some studies show that sometimes vaccination in this case can help to improve the patient's condition.
Therefore, the likelihood that you will not become infected again is not so great. The best way to protect yourself in this case is – after an infection – vaccination.
News stories cannot be equated with a doctor's prescription. Before making a decision, consult a specialist.
Source: Habr