Spain, like many other countries, is experiencing a crisis. surge in Covid-19 cases Last few days. This is a challenging time because in the northern hemisphere we are in the middle of spring, a particularly difficult year for allergy sufferers. This causes many people to stay isolated, thinking that in fact the symptoms they are feeling are nothing more than another episode of illness. allergic rhinitis. Differentiating symptoms is difficult because each person has different symptoms of COVID-19. There are some symptoms that are much more common, such as fever or muscle pain. Similarly, with allergies, there are obvious signs, such as itchy eyes. But also, the good thing is that, according to most studies done on allergies and COVID-19people with allergies appear to be less likely to contract this viral disease.
Interestingly, one of the first studies conducted on this issue showed the opposite. It was conducted by a team of Korean scientists after analyzing the records of all adults in their country’s health care system who were tested for COVID-19. from January to May 2020. It turned out that those who suffered from allergies were more prone to contracting COVID-19, especially severe forms.
This was no doubt a very preliminary study. In May 2020, there were already quite a few cases, but perhaps not enough to obtain definitive results. Especially if you take into account only a country. Since then, many other studies have been conducted on allergies and COVID-19, and the conclusions have been completely opposite. Does this mean that if you have allergies, SARS-CoV-2 has nothing to do with your body? Not so fast. We would all like to receive compensation for our allergies, but it’s not that easy.
Link between allergies and COVID-19
As the pandemic progressed, it became clear that there are fewer SARS-CoV-2 infections (COVID-19 virus) in people with allergies. This first Korean study, along with suspicions that this new disease may complicate asthma, has led to recommendations for allergy sufferers to especially protect themselves.
Therefore, seeing that there were so few cases, the thought arose that perhaps precisely because they were more isolated. However, over time it was discovered that people with food or skin allergies were also less likely to become infected.
This new discovery changes everything we suspected about allergies and COVID-19. Maybe they are actually allergic more secure? Since then, several studies have been conducted and most of their findings point in the same direction.
Unexpected defense
A study by Chinese and European scientists in 2021 and another study by American researchers in 2022 found that people with allergies are actually much less likely to become infected with COVID-19. In fact, in 2022 it turned out that asthmatics Yes, they are at greater risk, but only when it is non-allergic asthma. Additionally, people with food allergies have been found to be 50% less likely to contract COVID-19. Even drug allergies appeared to have a protective effect.
What is the reason for this protection against COVID-19 allergies?
There are several hypotheses about the protective effect of allergies against COVID-19. On the one hand, allergy sufferers tend to produce a lot of mucus, which prevents the virus from entering so easily through the nasal passages.
In addition, allergy sufferers have a very high activity of the so-called inflammation type 2. This is a form of immune system response which, oddly enough, has among its consequences a reduction in the number of ACE-2 receptors in the cells of the respiratory system. These are the receptors that SARS-CoV 2 uses to enter cells, making infection more difficult. On the other hand, since allergies are an overreaction of our body, certain types of white blood cells are produced, such as eosinophils, which are also capable of fighting this virus. If the first attack is detected right along the path of penetration, infection turns out to be much more difficult.
Less likelihood does not mean immunity
If you have allergies, you are not immune to COVID-19. According to these studies, you may be less likely to get infected, but You are not insured.
In fact, it has been observed that people with allergies, if they finally become infected, have a higher likelihood of developing persistent COVID. The reasons are unknown, but without a doubt, this is a reason not to take risks, knowing that we have fewer ballots. If this happens, it can be very unpleasant.
However, it is interesting to see how what would appear to be a risk factor becomes a protective factor. This is Covid-19, a mystery we have yet to solve.
Source: Hiper Textual
