The lingering impact of Covid-19 on certain individuals

The article discusses the experiences of individuals who have caught COVID-19 recently and found that their symptoms were worse than previous bouts of the virus. It challenges the commonly held belief that each subsequent infection should be milder. The article highlights that COVID-19 has always caused a range of symptoms, with some people experiencing only mild effects or no symptoms at all. However, scientists specializing in the immune system warn that the virus is evolving and causing more severe infections that can leave individuals ill for weeks. The severity of COVID-19 depends on the interaction between the virus and our body's defenses. The initial stages of exposure are crucial in determining how severe the infection will be. But waning immunity and the virus evolving are tipping the scales in favor of more severe bouts. Antibody levels, which play a role in fighting the virus, are now lower due to the passage of time since vaccination or infection, and this allows a higher dose of the virus to cause a more severe illness. The article acknowledges that the widespread and rapid rollout of vaccines has played a major role in reducing the severity of COVID-19 cases. However, this year fewer people are being offered the vaccine, leading to concerns that more individuals will experience severe illness. The changing nature of the virus itself also contributes to the worsening symptoms, as antibodies become less effective against newly evolved variants. Despite these developments, the article emphasizes that individuals experiencing worse symptoms may not necessarily be at a higher risk of critical illness or hospitalization. The body's T-cells, another component of the immune system, kick in during the infection and are less affected by the virus's mutations. While they may cause discomfort and symptoms such as muscle pain, fever, and chills, they prevent severe illness and hospitalization. The article concludes that COVID-19 is not yet on a trajectory to become a mild infection like the common cold. However, repeated exposure and infections may eventually lead to the development of natural immunity. In the meantime, individuals may have to endure a difficult winter with the possibility of experiencing more severe symptoms.