Naked Science Forum

General Science => Question of the Week => Topic started by: Sally Le Page on 05/10/2021 15:48:43

Title: QotW - 21.10.05 - Why do we sometimes get the same diseases twice?
Post by: Sally Le Page on 05/10/2021 15:48:43

This week listener Rick emailed us to ask:

"Why do we acquire lifelong immunity against some pathogens but not others?"

We got infectious disease researcher John Tregoning to give us his answer, which you can listen to here: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/why-do-we-keep-catching-same-diseases

Title: Re: QotW - 21.10.05 - Why do we sometimes get the same diseases twice?
Post by: Liaata on 06/10/2021 16:39:48

I think this has something to do with our immune system. It can learn to defend some bacteria and viruses, but not all of them. After some time the immune system forgets what the attackers looked like and some diseases evolve by time as well.

Title: Re: QotW - 21.10.05 - Why do we sometimes get the same diseases twice?
Post by: alancalverd on 06/10/2021 16:50:27

Because pathogens do not negotiate.