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In the program “Delfi rytas”, the specialist explained that so far no major sequelae of covid mutations have been identified in the world, but three mutations (Brazilian, South African and British) are classified as worrisome mutations.
“Viruses have been found to spread more rapidly, there is an increased risk of more serious illnesses, middle-aged people are more likely to become seriously ill, and the protective effect of vaccines is unfortunately less,” said Čaplinskas.
Speaking specifically about the Brazilian strain, the professor highlighted that it causes a more severe course of the disease about 2.6 times more often (than the first variant of the virus diagnosed), and people are 2.2 times more likely to enter the care unit. intensive. .
“Comparing these three varieties, it is Brazilian in terms of the severity of the disease caused – in the middle.” The most difficult is South Africa, then Brazil, then the United Kingdom, “said S. Chaplinskas.
Infectivity is higher
According to the professor, there is no data on how many particles a person needs to inhale to become infected with coronavirus, and how this differs when comparing the original variant of the virus with the strains.
But it is clear that humans secrete more of these mutated viruses. So, in the volume of air, their concentration will be higher than that of another person who will excrete less of them. As a result, less air will need to be inhaled to enter someone else’s airway. In other words, the infectious dose of the virus is lower, which means that it is possible to become infected more easily and quickly, ”said S. Čaplinskas.
According to the professor, the infectivity of this strain is higher due to the specific proteins of the virus.
“They unblock the cells of the human body faster with the help of the AC2 receptor in human cells. Probably exactly the same thing happens, which makes a more difficult clinic to develop also in younger people, and perhaps it develops faster because those receptors are all over the human body, in the cells of various organs. This probably means that the clinical course can be faster and more difficult, ”said S. Čaplinskas.
Vaccines may need to be adjusted
The professor agrees only partially with the statement that due to the vaccination we can already see at the end of the tunnel.
“At this stage, when we talk about the light at the end of the tunnel, when we talk about vaccines, we imagine that first tunnel, but the second tunnel begins immediately. Those people who got sick at the beginning of the year will probably not have enough immunity against the native virus by the end of the year, and protection against mutated viruses is likely to be even lower and fade even faster, ”said S. Čaplinskas.
The specialist considered that it may be necessary to modify the vaccines every year, similar to what happens now with seasonal flu.
According to him, the entry into society of more aggressive forms of the virus will depend on preventive measures, both non-specific and vaccines.
“The fewer susceptible people there are, the less chance there is for the virus to circulate. It means that there is less burden on the health system, on the other hand, there is less chance that the virus will mutate and form new dangerous strains,” said S. Čaplinskas.
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