NewsCorona: Virologist Drosten takes apart confused claims

Corona: Virologist Drosten takes apart confused claims

The virologist Christian Drosten comments on Twitter on the thesis that you can train the immune system with an infection – and breaks it down.

Berlin – Virologist Christian Drosten, head of the Berlin Charité, has had exhausting months. Since the beginning of the corona pandemic in March 2020, he has been providing information about the dangers of the virus. His research group was instrumental in developing the world’s first diagnostic test for Sars-CoV-2.

And although Drosten is one of the “world’s leading experts on coronaviruses” (Science magazine), he is a red rag, especially for so-called “lateral thinkers” and those who oppose vaccinations. Or maybe because of that, after all, he is also active on Twitter to let the users represented there share in his scientific expertise.

Virologist Christian Drosten: You cannot train the immune system with a corona infection

This was also the case on Wednesday evening (December 29th, 2021), when Drosten reported back to the platform for the first time since December 23rd. “Anyone who believes that they can train their immune system through an infection must consequently also believe that they can train their digestion through a steak,” he wrote in a tweet – and received more than just encouragement. In fact, Drosten had said in his NDR podcast “Corona Update” in September: “I want to have immunity to vaccinations, and then, saddling up on it, I definitely want to have my first general infection and the second and third at some point.”

By this, he is likely to have meant that instead of several booster vaccinations, the vaccination protection against severe Covid 19 disease could also be maintained through light corona infections. However, this would not change anything in the immune system, even if the body’s immune reaction, i.e. the immune system’s response to antigens, could be different.

Corona: Virologist Drosten is surprised at misunderstandings and misconceptions

“Immune response vs. ‘strong immune system’ is like learning vs. intelligence. I can memorize a poem, but it hasn’t made me any smarter. I can survive an infection, but haven’t ‘strengthened my immune system’ ”, Dorsten explained on Twitter.

Christian Drosten beim Hanns-Joachim-Friedrichs-Preis 2021

+

Christian Drosten, virologist at the Charité in Berlin, has been in the public eye since the beginning of the corona pandemic. (Archive image)

He is amazed “how many misunderstandings and misconceptions there are about infection, vaccination and immunity. With a little more knowledge, many could save their aggressiveness here and instead make better decisions for themselves. “

Virologist Christian Drosten notices a lot of aggression on Twitter

Christian Drosten recently said that he noticed a lot of aggression on Twitter. “I’ve completely lost the habit of humor on Twitter, and funny things keep coming up, I could be the solo entertainer,” the virologist told the Süddeutsche Zeitung before Christmas. He therefore only posts things that he thinks are informative: “To be honest, I no longer look at the answers, even if many of them are certainly positive.”

Now he might have changed his mind. In the most recent thread, Drosten announced that it would address some of the “non-descriptive, honest objections” in the next few days. (ktho)

List of rubric lists: © Rolf Vennenbernd / dpa

Corona: After how many infections are you immune? Virologist provides information

Does multiple infection with the coronavirus and the associated build-up of antibodies confer immunity? Virologist Stöhr has an answer.

Change of course in corona policy: Austria reintroduces the obligation to wear masks

Shortly after the easing of many corona measures, Austria rowed back. Will the rules soon become stricter again in Germany?

Gas station murder in Idar-Oberstein: alleged perpetrator in court

A 20-year-old dies after telling a man to wear a mask. The alleged killer is now on trial.

Corona case numbers: RKI reports fewer new infections and falling incidence

The RKI announces the current number of corona cases in Germany. More than 130,000 new infections have been reported.

These corona rules now apply in Lower Saxony

Freedom Day largely does not take place in Lower Saxony. New corona rules now apply in the federal state. An overview.

More