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That's how immunity against pathogens usually works. There are exceptions like the flu which mutates into sufficiently distinct strains that the immune system d
by eloff 7y ago
That's how immunity against pathogens usually works. There are exceptions like the flu which mutates into sufficiently distinct strains that the immune system doesn't (fully) recognize. I'm still oversimplifying here.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoWell viruses in general, AFAIK, mutate - and that's how we trace their movement through the infected: you sample the virus and look at the mutations eg https://nextstrain.org/ncov https://nextstrain.org/ncov. Do we know for sure that Covid19 in N.Europe isn't sufficiently mutated over that in Australia, say, that secondary infection is possible (even if recovered people's antibodies recognise it somewhat)?
- eloff 7y agoWe don't know much for sure. What I've heard from experts in the field, but I don't have sources, is that the type of RNA virus is different from influenza and doesn't mutate as quickly - which is potentially good news for those hoping for a vaccine.