Due to the high level of community transmission, particularly with the extremely transmissible Omicron variant, it’s very unlikely that someone going to work or school, socialising and shopping hasn’t been near someone infected with the virus.
Yet there are people who have experienced high levels of exposure, such as hospital workers or family members of people who have had COVID-19, who have somehow managed to avoid testing positive.
We know from several studies that vaccines not only reduce the risk of severe disease but also cut the chance of household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by about half. So certainly vaccination could have helped some close contacts avoid becoming infected.
However, it’s important to note that these studies were done pre-Omicron. The data we have on the effect of vaccination on Omicron transmission is still limited.
COULD SOME PEOPLE BE INVINCIBLE TO COVID-19?
One theory around why certain people have avoided infection is that, although they are exposed to the virus, it fails to establish an infection even after gaining entry to the airways. This could be due to a lack of the receptors needed for SARS-CoV-2 to gain access to cells.
Once a person does become infected, researchers have identified that differences in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 play a role in determining the severity of symptoms. It is possible that a quick and robust immune response could prevent the virus from replicating to any great degree in the first instance.
The efficacy of our immune response to infection is largely defined by our age and our genetics. That said, a healthy lifestyle certainly helps. For example, we know that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of certain infections. Not getting enough sleep can also have a detrimental effect on our body’s ability to fight invading pathogens.
Scientists studying the underlying causes of severe COVID-19 have identified a genetic cause in nearly 20 per cent of critical cases. Just as genetics could be one determining factor of disease severity, our genetic makeup may also hold the key to resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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