The claim
Many people suspect that the protective measures during the corona pandemic have weakened the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases.
Our conclusion
Experts confirm that the immune system was not weakened due to a lack of “training” due to hygiene measures during the corona pandemic. The current high incidence of respiratory diseases is due to catch-up effects.
Over the course of the pandemic, many rumors and misinformation spread, influencing public perception and understanding of the Corona measures. One of these rumors was that protective measures during the pandemic had weakened people's immune systems, leading to increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases.
Rumors/claims
This claim is based on the assumption that the immune system needs to be “trained” by regular infections in order to function effectively. The protective measures during the pandemic prevented this training, which led to a weakening of the immune system.
Evaluation
Immunologists like Carsten Watzl, professor at the University of Dortmund, contradict this theory. They explain that a missed infection does not harm the immune system and that the immune system does not need to be activated by infections to function well.
Elimination of Corona measures
Scientific findings and expert opinions show that the immune system functions well even without regular infections. Rather, the elimination of hygiene measures leads to catch-up effects, as fewer people were exposed to respiratory pathogens during the pandemic. The result is a concentrated wave of infections that has nothing to do with a weakening of the immune system.
Conclusion
The current increase in the number of infections after the end of the protective measures is an example of this catch-up effect. In addition, the coronavirus, as a new respiratory pathogen, contributes to the increased infection rate.
Clarifying this myth is essential to promote a correct understanding of how the immune system works and to underline the importance of protective measures during the pandemic.
It is important to stay informed and critically question misinformation. For further education, subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.mimikama.org/mimikama-newsletter/ and sign up for our monthly online lectures and workshops at https://www.mimikama.education/online-vortrag- from-mimikama/ .
Source: tagesschau.de
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Notes:
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