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A GENTLE PSA

Getting sick doesn’t do what you might think it does.

Viruses can only create new variants when they spread. More infections = more replication = more mutations = more chances for a fitter, more evasive strain to appear.

Very few viruses give lifelong immunity. Most immunity to viruses fades, and with high levels of transmission, new variants appear often. That’s why we keep getting sick.

Getting sick doesn’t fix the problem. It drives it.

xkcd.com/2557/

Alt text A three-panel xkcd comic with two stick-figure characters. Panel 1 - One figure gestures and says, 'See, it’s good to get infected, because it gives you immunity.' The other figure stands silently. Panel 2 - The second figure asks, 'Why would I want immunity?' The first figure pauses. Panel 3 - The first figure starts to answer, 'To protect you from getting inf—' and then stops mid-sentence, head tilted, realising the contradiction. The second figure remains silent.

Immunity

xkcd
This entry was edited (2 days ago)
in reply to Kristie

soup2nuts
mastodon - Link to source
soup2nuts
• •
... i disagree with your conclusion: the immune system and viruses are two dynamic systems adjusting to each other over time. the immune system acts as if it holds a database of past illness. Covid patients who were exposed to Rubella as a child were shown to have better outcomes (actual research).
in reply to soup2nuts

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@drdusty Our points aren’t actually in conflict. What you are describing is separate from viral evolution. Viral mutation rates are driven by replication, and more transmission always increases opportunities for new variants. Cross-immunity doesn’t stop that process.
@soup2nuts
in reply to Kristie

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@drdusty Also, pretty sure the Rubella thing hasn't held up in further studies?
@soup2nuts
in reply to Kristie

MarjorieR
mastodon - Link to source
MarjorieR
• •

and if you catch measles then that can wipe out your accumulated immunity to just about everything.

sanger.ac.uk/news_item/measles…


Measles infection wipes our immune system’s memory, leaving us vulnerable to other diseases

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Amsterdam and their collaborators revealed that the measles virus deletes part of the immune system’s memory, removing previously existing immunity to other infections, in both humans and …
www.sanger.ac.uk
in reply to MarjorieR

Robyn
mastodon - Link to source
Robyn
• •
@marjolica
But it does in most cases give you exceptionally good long lasting immunity to measles.
I think the vaccination option is best there though - same lasting immunity without having to destroy all our own memory lymphocyte cells to get it. Ironic laughter for all the "natural" immunity is better people
@kristiedegaris
@MarjorieR @Kristie
in reply to Robyn

MarjorieR
mastodon - Link to source
MarjorieR
• •
@RedRobyn As a much older adult (in the UK vaccination against measles only started in 1968) I do wonder whether I have immunity from a childhood infection or not. I can't remember one way or the other, and my parents are no longer around to ask.
Previously I could have assumed we had effectively wiped measles out, as most people would have been vaccinated, so it was not an issue, but now I's not sure I can make that assumption.
@Robyn
in reply to MarjorieR

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@marjolica @RedRobyn Measles produces good immunity and as far as I;m aware it's very rare to get a second infecton after getting it as a child.
@MarjorieR @Robyn
in reply to Kristie

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@marjolica @RedRobyn Measles vaccination rates are dropping though which is awful news. Misinformation is a huge problem.
@MarjorieR @Robyn
in reply to Robyn

Robyn
mastodon - Link to source
Robyn
• •

@marjolica
In Aotearoa it is assumed that all older adults were infected in childhood. It really is very contagious in the few days before the rash pops out, so most kids get it in their early school years, if not before. My mother went to some effort to avoid the before for my older siblings. I would imagine it was similar where you are, so you probably had measles in childhood. If your parents managed to keep you away from it until after vaccination levels were high enough to protect you through herd immunity you would probably have noticed a degree of isolation. I would also imagine that a parent that concerned to keep their child away from disease would probably have managed to talk the GP into giving an immunisation, even if you weren't eligible. So the assumption that older people have immunity already is quite reasonable.

There is a blood test for immunity. You might want to check if it's available where you are. (It's not easy to get funded here, though some clinics do self referrals if you are prepared to pay)

@kristiedegaris

@MarjorieR @Kristie
This entry was edited (2 days ago)
in reply to Robyn

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •

@RedRobyn @marjolica

I'm 42 and like most kids got the MMR when I was small. In my lifetime, due to high vaccine uptake, measles has been nearly eradicated. It's only recently with low vaccine uptake that we're seeing numbers rising again.

@MarjorieR @Robyn
in reply to Kristie

Nicole Parsons
mastodon - Link to source
Nicole Parsons
• •

Remember the names of the people who funded covid disinformation for personal & partisan gain.

Herd immunity & the Great Barrington nonsense was the brainchild of Koch Network. Over 7 million died globally, 2 million Americans.
jacobin.com/2021/12/right-wing…

sanford.duke.edu/news/how-koch…

nytimes.com/2020/04/19/us/poli…

exposedbycmd.org/2021/12/22/ho…

exposedbycmd.org/2024/10/07/a-…

btlonline.org/koch-network-fun…

theguardian.com/world/2020/apr…

desmog.com/2020/10/26/american…

bylinetimes.com/2021/10/07/fou…

exposedbycmd.org/2025/07/02/he…


Heritage Foundation Partners with Ivermectin Group - EXPOSEDbyCMD

Despite its failed Covid “miracle cure,” the anti-vax Independent Medical Alliance has gained political power in the MAHA world thanks to support from right-wing stalwarts.
ExposedByCMD Editors (EXPOSEDbyCMD)
in reply to Kristie

Milly
mastodon - Link to source
Milly
• •
Related.
A cute little embroidery of viruses and bacteria against a pink textile background saying "What doesn't kill you mutates and tries again" along the upper and lower edges framing the microorganisms. Picture shamelessly "backed up" from Mastodon.
This entry was edited (1 day ago)

Cassandrich reshared this.

in reply to Milly

Cassandrich
mastodon - Link to source
Cassandrich
• •
@aanee This should also have every proposed internet censorship law, crypto backdoor law, etc. on it.
@Milly
in reply to Kristie

plan-A
friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
plan-A
 — (Proud Eskimo!) •
@Kristie I'm doing ok so far with my Cold.. no meds needed not even paracetamol > it's a cold !
I have less appetite also
Green tea with lemon then beer and weed lol
Black Honey is proved to be Anti-Viral
Off course, this s just about a Cold Virus.
in edit: Also I never been jabbed once and wear no masks where no one wears it or I will be brought to the ground by fedz in no time.
@Kristie
in reply to Kristie

Victor
mastodon - Link to source
Victor
• •

I assume we (humanity) are always under evolution process, no matter how technologically advanced we are or ever will be.

Simple example, is nuclear weaponry.

Advanced technology, which can easialy lead to humanity extinction.

And evolution process would be over 😀

in reply to Kristie

Lawgren
glitchsoc - Link to source
Lawgren
• •

This barely works as a joke, but in reality you will get sick. If you're actually trying to make a serious point, what is it? People who don't live in a magical fantasy world where they can choose if a virus infects them are stupid?

Like, do you live on earth? You will get sick, and building immunity is a good thing.

Fuck off?

in reply to Kristie

plan-A
friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
plan-A
 — (Proud Eskimo!) •
@Kristie My appetite came back, I just slurped a whole meal in once!
You've been jabbed all sessions . your immunity on the other hand would take a bad turn on my case here and now.
Weed & Beer, no jabs ever
And I feel like recovering
@Kristie
in reply to Kristie

robloblaw
mastodon - Link to source
robloblaw
• •

Some pathogens can cause horrific disorders long after the original infection is gone.
MS
ME/CFS
Long covid
Etc

nature.com/articles/s41591-022…


Unexplained post-acute infection syndromes - Nature Medicine

Certain acute infections (including SARS-CoV-2) are associated with an unexplained chronic disability in a minority of patients; this Review summarizes what is known about these understudied and complex illnesses.
Nature
in reply to robloblaw

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@robloblaw Yep, I've experienced that first hand with an autoimmune disease when I was 21 after a virus, as has my daughter who has LC since age 16.
@robloblaw
in reply to Kristie

plan-A
friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
plan-A
 — (Proud Eskimo!) •
@Kristie @robloblaw You know I catched more then a hundred viruses in my life? and no vaccine is even good . They don't even have a decent one for flue.. Influenza . yes . do you have a cure with vaccinations? no. For measles etc ok but not a yearly adaption to weaken our natural response> or you die or it makes you stronger.
In my area 10 years before no one told me to vaccinate if you catch the flue well sick it out and eat dark honey.
This my own life experience and opinion.
@Kristie @robloblaw
Unknown parent

plan-A
friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
plan-A
•
@Doğa Armangil @Kristie Saying that is same as saying we want you to live short term to survive, as you all claim it mutates so better start with no Jab
@Kristie @Doğa Armangil
Unknown parent

plan-A
friendica (DFRN) - Link to source
plan-A
•
@Doğa Armangil @Kristie I don't get vaccinated for anything since my teenage's I'm 50 let us say 49 yet. I had so many Health issues from asthma till COPD and the rest so please, for me this is just a Cold as I showered before going outside with strong winds with wet hair. I never Vaccinated Covid , I don't vacinate for the flue. But if Sick I isolate or wear a mask wherever I am and feel ok . Thank you for your concerns about my health but there's no one else better then me to tell what is going on with my health and I',m under part time in clinic, just to check. Thank you again for your concerns but my point sticks. It depends who you are, if you talk in general and work for big Pharma in some way you would say what you said and I tell you I do not need it. Thanks for your kind comprehension.
@Kristie @Doğa Armangil
in reply to Kristie

AvonLovesBlake
mastodon - Link to source
AvonLovesBlake
• •

Also, some people who catch a virus - whether COVID or glandular fever (mono) will end up being too chronically ill to work or study for 5 years or 10 years afterwards, or even longer!

Most cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis start with a virus - sometimes even influenza or a common cold that turns into a sinus infection.

in reply to AvonLovesBlake

AvonLovesBlake
mastodon - Link to source
AvonLovesBlake
• •

I've been too unwell to do paid work since 2010 - and it started with an ordinary common cold that turned into a sinus infection - I was sick nonstop from April til July -

and before that, I used to work full time AND go to the gym AND go bushwalking AND go rockclimbing AND do creative projects.

And now I need a power wheelchair.

Viruses can really mess you up.

in reply to AvonLovesBlake

Kristie
mastodon - Link to source
Kristie
• •
@Lilysea I'm so sorry to hear this, a virus similarly affected my health, and my daughters. It is hard, so hard.
@AvonLovesBlake
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