The Pandemic's "Zombie" Mysteries Continue

COVID-19: The Danger Is Not Over   

"Zombie Coronavirus".. Remnants Attack the Immune System and Kill Its Cells

Many might think that the danger of the coronavirus ends once the infection disappears, but a recent scientific study reveals a more complex and alarming picture. Remnants of the coronavirus may remain inside the body, behaving like "zombies" that attack the immune system from within.

The study, conducted by an international team of more than 30 researchers, explains that the virus breaking down inside the body does not mean its effects end. When the coronavirus breaks down, small protein fragments are formed, capable of targeting and destroying specific immune cells. This may explain some of the chronic and debilitating symptoms suffered by millions of people with "long COVID."

The researchers explain that these viral fragments attack cells that have "spiky" or branching structures on their surface. Among these cells are dendritic cells, the first line of defense that detects viruses and alerts the immune system, and T cells (CD4 and CD8), which are responsible for coordinating the immune response and killing infected cells.

 According to scientists, these cells are crucial, and any decline in their numbers or efficiency could lead to long-term weakened immunity and increased inflammation within the body.

A New Explanation for Long COVID

Previous studies had observed a decrease in T cells in some patients, but this study offers a more nuanced explanation; it's not just the infection itself that's the problem, but what the virus leaves behind. Researchers say that the variety of these protein fragments makes their impact more complex and may explain why people with pre-existing immune disorders are more susceptible to long COVID complications, even if they appear outwardly healthy.

The study also offers an explanation for one of the pandemic's biggest mysteries: "How was the Omicron variant so highly contagious yet less deadly?" Researchers found that omecron breaks down into a greater number of protein fragments, but these fragments are less effective at killing immune cells, allowing the immune system to remain more resilient compared to previous variants.

The Pandemic's "Zombie Corona" Mysteries Continue

Despite the decline in pandemic-related discussions, the coronavirus still causes the deaths of approximately 100,000 people annually in the United States alone, and millions more suffer from long COVID. Recent studies indicate that the risk of developing this condition may increase with repeated infections, in both children and adults.

Doctors and researchers emphasize that these findings reinforce the importance of vaccination, not only to prevent acute infection but also to reduce the chances of developing long COVID. The study's conclusion is clear: the danger lies not only in the virus itself but also in its lingering effects within the body, effects that may continue to plague the immune system long after the initial infection has subsided.