If You Haven’t Contracted COVID-19 Here’s Why

We all know a few folks who have managed to avoid contracting COVID and you may be one of them. Do these people have any special abilities like some kind of superpower perhaps? Is there a scientific explanation for why some people are immune to infection? Or is it just luck?

Even after accounting for persons who have had COVID and were unaware of it, there is likely to be a group of people who have never had it. One concern that has lingered throughout the pandemic is why some people appear immune to COVID. There isn’t (yet) a straightforward explanation, as there isn’t in so much of science.

The simple explanation, however, is this: people have never been exposed to the virus.

This could very well be the case for those who sheltered throughout the pandemic. Many of them are still taking steps to minimize possible viral exposure. Despite increased precautions, many of these persons have developed COVID.

Because of the high rate of community transmission, especially with the highly transmissible omicron varieties, it’s quite improbable that somebody socializing hasn’t come into contact with someone who has been infected. However, some people who have been exposed to high amounts of COVID, such as hospital staff or family members of COVID patients, have managed to avoid testing positive.

Some theories on this matter include that despite being exposed to the virus, it fails to infect them even after getting access to the airways. An example is the SARS-CoV-2 which doesn’t have the receptors it needs to enter cells.

Our immunological response to infection is largely determined by our age and genetic makeup. However, leading a healthy lifestyle is beneficial. Our bodies’ ability to combat invading germs can also be harmed by not getting enough sleep. It’s also possible that earlier infection with different coronaviruses has resulted in cross-reactive immunity. SARS-CoV-2 may be recognized by our immune system as being comparable to a recently invading virus, prompting an immunological response.

If you’ve avoided COVID this far, it’s possible that you have inherent immunity against infection, or you’ve simply been lucky. In any case, it’s very important to continue to take precautions against a virus. Follow safety protocols, live a healthy lifestyle, and take care of yourself in general.