COVID, thorn protein virus
Many of them are familiar with the coronavirus appearance, a round, thorny body, the results of a previously published preliminary analysis of the virus. Indicates 17 key changes
But the most important is the change in the spike protein of the virus. This is the key that bacteria are “easier” to unlock the door to cells in the human body.
A type of mutation called N501Y has a largely significant change in the so-called spiny. “Receptor-binding domain” This is the first part where the virus spines touch the cell surface of the human body. When there is a change or development that makes the virus easier to enter the human body. It makes the infection more capable of attacking human cells. And experiments in Cambridge University laboratories Found that this kind of mutation Helps to increase the ability to infect up to 2 times.
Why does this virus mutate so fast?
Adaptation is normal for living things, but “mutations” are usually very time consuming. New corona virus (Before it was called COVID-19) was first detected in Wuhan. At the end of December 2019, it is not the same type of infection that is currently spreading in different areas of the world. (And not currently mutated), the COVID-19, a mutant named D614G, emerged in Europe in February 2020, becoming the main epidemic worldwide. But in the beginning We do not have enough knowledge to identify the infection. Including the need to identify it “mutated” since then. Because the immediate problem at that time was the end of the epidemic, whether the infection was the original or the mutant.
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So when we come up with a vaccine Instead, it was found that the mutation could make it something dedicated to defense. May not work, it is, so the question that pops up is Why is the mutation so fast that it doesn’t make it through the years?
The most likely explanation is It occurs in people with weakened immune systems. Can not fight this virus (And there is no cure There is no vaccine to prevent the patient’s body becoming a breeding ground for the mutated virus.
Issues that concern the world In addition to the fact that COVID-19 How dangerous is the mutant than the original one? Which we still cannot find an answer Is a story that spreads faster (Because it makes human cells more infectious) and affects healthcare workers and the congestion of healthcare facilities. The number of infected people keeps growing. Hitting the economy until collapse every other day People who are not sick because of COVID-19 Was very terrible and fatal as well
The beginning of the mutation
The virus has been found to be COVID-19. A new mutant was launched in September 2020 in London, England, three months later. London has become a source of infection with new mutants.
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New mutants are now found throughout the UK. Except Northern Ireland But especially in London, people with this type of infection are found. Southeastern area And east of England Then there were reports of COVID-19 infections. New mutants in Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia. With origins in the United Kingdom The Netherlands also reported the discovery of this type of infection.
Across the continent to South Africa. Was found a mutated infection There was a similar mutation pattern (thorn protein), but the timeline investigated the addicted person did not leave the country. Hence, there appears to be no connection with the mutants in the UK.
Is it possible to get stuck again or not?
The human body is usually immune to other strains of the virus, such as the common cold, without vaccination, it is not dangerous, so the COVID-19 was believed … in the first place.
A 70-year-old Japanese man was hospitalized in Tokyo recovering from COVID-19. Went home to a normal life A few days later, he fell ill. And found to be infected again And this is not the only case But the doctor found that Not a new infection It is the same virus that “resurrects” from within ourselves. When immunity is weak The virus is hidden somewhere in the body. It woke up and continued hitting us.
Until now, we still cannot answer that People who have been Can be infected with a mutant or not In fact, this is not a problem. Because try to get infected once Life will never be the same. Must fight every day Fight to be healthy Have a weak immune system
Will the vaccine be invented?
Experts believe “OK” is at least valid now. Currently, the three leading vaccines that stimulate the body’s immune system against thorn virus. The vaccine trains the immune system to attack different parts of the virus, so even if the spiny changes or mutations occur. The vaccine will still work. But means we have to inject every year If the mutation happened as quickly as it is now
For Thailand on January 5, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and The Public Health Minister said that the Cabinet approved the purchase of a COVID vaccine for people from three companies, able to inject 33 million Thais or half of the country. With a look at the working timeline is
February 200,000 doses
Injection for medical personnel Health checkpoint (including volunteers) and field workers in the highest control areas such as Samutsakorn, Rayong, Chonburi, 20,000 people
Injection to high-risk groups with high complications And 180,000 other essential groups are expected to begin the first group injections at the end of March.
March: 800,000 doses
Inject 200,000 doses to a person vaccinated in the February group.
Injected to the person in the highest control province Western and southern border Being 60,000 medical and public health personnel.
Injection for 540,000 people at risk of infection, high complications and other essential groups.
April, 1,000,000 doses
Inject a second dose to 600,000 vaccinated persons brought into the March group.
400,000 doses for an outbreak
“It is good news for Thai people that the Cabinet has approved an additional 35 million doses of the vaccine to prevent COVID-19, giving Thailand a total of 63 million doses for AstraZeneca’s vaccine. Expected by the end of January 2021, this will be certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thai people will receive a safe vaccine that meets the standards for the private sector. The Ministry of Health does not exclude imports. But there must be a standard review at every step From the origin to the destination Importing the COVID-19 vaccine Must be approved by the FDA and the Department of Medical Sciences To get an effective and safe vaccine, Anutin said, adding that the 2 million doses of the vaccine bought from China will begin injections of 2 hundred thousand doses in February. There is a plan to give to risk groups who have to work in the most controlled areas such as medical personnel Outpost personnel Village health volunteers And people at risk of infection have severe symptoms first.
(Thanks to the illustration from BBC Thai)
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