Why is the nCoV virus less likely to affect children?

Perhaps due to some biological differences, children's cells are less sensitive to nCoV, making it difficult for the virus to multiply.

A study by a group of Chinese scientists published in the British New England Journal of Medicine on January 30 analyzed the characteristics of the first 425 people in Wuhan (China) infected with nCoV. Among the patients, no one under the age of 15 as of mid-January and the youngest person to die from this strain is 36 years old.

Dr. Mark Denison, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at Vanderbilt Medical University (USA), said the study also provides an important argument to compare with acute respiratory syndrome SARS (due to a strain). of corona virus).SARS is also a less common disease among children than adults during an outbreak in China in 2002-2003. He added that children under the age of 13 with SARS have fewer acute symptoms than the rest.

During this corona outbreak, children were less affected than adults.

Most likely, thanks to some biologically distinct characteristics , children will be less sensitive to nCoV than adults. The reason is that cells in children appear less "friendly" to the virus, making it harder for corona viruses to multiply and pass on to others, Denison said. As a result, children can become infected with the virus but will have milder symptoms than adults, meaning they may not need as much medical care as adults.

In terms of evolution, we have been exposed to some viruses since childhood. Soon, the body's immune system will recognize and become familiar with these viruses, thereby forming antibodies against the virus. Therefore, we will be able to survive better and be less trapped. However, it should be noted that this antibody cannot last forever.

Dr. Sharon Nachman, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital in New York (USA), said that the environment around children, including schools with lots of infectious diseases, will Helps the child's body form the immune system. Children may have encountered many corona virus strains, including some that can cause the common cold. From here, the body creates "immune cells" for children, which have immunity to the corona virus.

For example, for seasonal flu, many children in the United States get the flu virus every year, but the number of children dying from the disease is much less than it is for adults. For example, during the period 2018-2019, an estimated 7.6 million children aged 5 to 17 years had the flu, but only 211 died, accounting for 0.002%. In contrast, about 11.9 million adults aged 18 to 49 years with influenza, up to 2,450 died, accounting for 0.02%.

However, Mr. Denison also noted that the above statements are only theoretical at this time and there are currently no clear scientific studies proving that children are not infected and cannot transmit the disease. .

Therefore, habits such as washing your hands regularly, keeping your body warm, wearing a mask properly and maintaining a healthy eating habits are really necessary to protect the body from disease as well as corona virus .

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