Why are some people sicker than others from the coronavirus?

In people with underlying conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart failure, kidney failure, cancer and other serious diseases, COVID-19 can cause serious life-threatening complications. But some healthy people can also develop these life-threatening complications, while others develop the disease and have no symptoms.

There could be a genetic explanation why some people get sick and others don't. This genetic background is still part of further research and is mainly hypothetical at this time. On the other hand, it is a general rule that the amount of viruses you come into contact with can also play a role. If you have crossed paths with an infected person on the street, your exposure to viruses will be much lower than if you were to sit at the table with that person for an hour. The higher the number of viruses you come into contact with, the greater the chance of infection and the faster you can become ill.

Source: https://www.rivm.nl/corona/onderzoeken/risicofactoren-contest-onderzoek

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024