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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Health
Jane Tyler & Sophie Buchan

Covid expert explains why some people have 'never caught' the virus

Covid cases are rising in some parts of the UK with many people testing positive for the virus.

In the last full week of May, it was estimated that one in 50 Scots had covid.

But the latest ONS figures showed that in the week ending June 24, an estimated 288,200 people in Scotland had the virus.

READ MORE: Most popular areas to live in Glasgow as average prices soar over £200k

However despite more and more people showing the dreaded two lines after taking the test, some still have not caught covid leaving other baffled as to how this can be two years down the road.

Coronavirus first hit the UK at the start of 2020 and is still with us today. Although it is now classed as being under control thanks to the vaccine programme, the virus is still killing people with many developing long-covid. However with some still having not had it, several major international studies are under way to find out how they are dodging the virus.

Dr Tara Hurst, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Birmingham City University, is studying this area and said: "There is a population who say they've never had covid and then are those poor souls who've had it several times" adding the situation is a "very complex area which is now attracting a lot of research."

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Many people now think that because they didn't catch covid during it's height that they won't catch it at all. But Dr Hurst says that although they may not catch covid, there is a chance they still can adding: "I would say to those who've never had it - thank your lucky stars!"

So why have some people never had Covid? Here's what Dr Hurst had to say.

They've had covid but didn't realise it

Dr Hurst said many people who say they have never had Coronavirus probably have had it, but without any symptoms. She explained: "I'd say that between 45 to 90% of people who think they've never had it actually have, but were asymptomatic."

According to Dr Hurst, one study had found that 45% of people who tested positive actually had no symptoms. And once you've been vaccinated, there is no way of knowing if you had ever had covid.

You thought you just had a cold

There's another group of people who did have covid but just dismissed it as a cold. This is because as the pandemic continued, the list of symptoms changed.

Dr Hurst said: "Not everyone had a cough or lost their sense of smell and taste. As the different variants arrived, so did the different symptoms and many sufferers would have just shrugged off their covid, saying, it's just a cold."

Not everyone gets tested

Testing is crucial for gauging the official rates in the population but some people have never taken a test and if they did, only did a lateral flow one, which isn't as reliable as the PCR ones.

They're genetically different

Dr Hurst said there's also a small group of people who have never had covid and haven't been vaccinated. This could be down to luck however it's more likely there's something going on with their genetics which makes them resistant to viruses such as covid.

She said: "These people are very rare indeed and there's something going on with their bodies which means they can get the virus but it doesn't affect their cells, which means they don't actually develop covid.

A study is currently under way to delve deeper into these people's health and participants are needed. To take part, you can register here.

They had a false-negative test

The most common way to find out if you have covid is the Lateral Flow Test (LFT). At the height of infections, LFTs were given out free and were readily available and all people had to do was put the swab up their nose and then wait a short time for the results.

But LFTs weren't as reliable and accurate as the more uncomfortable PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which involved the gag-inducing swabbing the back of the throat. Some medics think LFTs were only 40% accurate - which means millions of people who had a 'negative' result could in fact have been positive.

You can find out where to buy a lateral flow test here.

They have healthy eating habits

Dr Hurst said those who had not had any symptoms, or never caught it, could be regarded as super healthy, but it's more likely they have a more robust immune system. She explained: "This could be down to their genetics, but essentially they have an immune system which is super strong and fights the virus.

"They will have good general health, with factors such as good levels of Vitamins C and D. Stress is also a huge factor in this, as high levels of stress can have a negative impact on the immune system."

They behave differently

Like all viruses, if don't come into close contact with people very often, then you're less likely to catch it and the way you live can have a big impact on whether you fall prey to covid. Measures such as wearing a mask when in public, avoiding large crowds, getting vaccinated and not getting too close to strangers are all proven to reduce your chances of getting the virus.

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