PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The increased number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and other viruses can be linked to what scientists are calling the immunity gap.
The technical definition of the immunity gap is a group of susceptible individuals who avoided infections and therefore lack pathogen-specific immunities.
In plain English: During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were masking to protect themselves and each other, they were also preventing the spread of numerous other viruses that are spread the same way COVID is spread, as well as on surfaces.
We build immunities through regular exposure to pathogens. This is yet another consequence of the pandemic and its lingering impact
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.