How did Ellie become immune?
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Ellie became immune to the Cordyceps infection because her system learned to fight it as a newborn, when Cordyceps was transferred into her through her mother Anna’s umbilical cord after Anna was bitten by an infected person. This immunity was not due to the Cordyceps growing with her since birth, but rather her system’s ability to recognize and respond to the fungi as a result of the initial exposure.
Understanding Ellie’s Immunity
To further understand Ellie’s immunity, let’s explore some frequently asked questions related to her condition and the Cordyceps infection.
FAQs
- Is Ellie immune because her mom was bitten while pregnant?: The finale implies Ellie’s immunity is linked to Anna’s bite on her inner thigh, corroborating a fan theory that Ellie’s built-in protection against the Cordyceps outbreak was the result of her mother somehow getting bitten before childbirth.
- Why is Ellie immune to the disease?: Ellie’s immunity didn’t come because the Cordyceps grew with her since birth, but because her system learned to fight it as a newborn.
- Can Ellie spread the virus?: Ellie almost certainly cannot infect others in The Last Of Us, as the Cordyceps in her system would prevent the fungi from taking hold in others.
- Is Ellie the only one immune?: The Last of Us has finally revealed a scientific explanation behind Ellie’s immunity, and why she was the only one capable of surviving a Cordyceps bite.
- Were there immune people before Ellie?: Joel lies at the end of The Last of Us episode 9 that other immune people have been cropping up across the country, but this is not confirmed.
- Why is Joel not infected?: Joel may have narrowly avoided being infected simply because of his food choices on the series’ pilot, avoiding the contaminated food that spread the Cordyceps infection.
- Can Ellie cure others?: Although the doctors in The Last of Us universe initially seem to believe that Ellie can be used to make a cure, this storyline is never resolved.
- How did Ellie survive the bite?: Anna realizes that she was bitten during the fight, before swiftly cutting the umbilical cord connecting her and Ellie, transferring the Cordyceps into Ellie and making her immune.
- Did Ellie inject Joel correctly?: Ellie’s method of injecting Joel is not correct, as injecting deeply into the abdomen with a large needle and syringe can cause injury to organs and blood vessels.
- Was there a cure for The Last of Us?: Although the doctors in The Last of Us universe initially seem to believe that Ellie can be used to make a cure, this storyline is never resolved.
- Why didn’t Ellie’s blood save Sam?: Ellie’s blood is not a cure, as seen when she tries to save Sam by cutting her hand and spreading her blood over Sam’s wound, but he still turns.
- Would there have been a cure if Ellie died?: If Ellie had died, it would not have been a cure, as it would not have been able to get rid of an infection that’s already taken hold.
- Is Ellie immune because Anna was bitten?: Anna was bitten immediately before delivering, and she nursed Ellie after giving birth, passing antibodies to Ellie through her colostrum.
- Could Ellie’s brain actually make a cure?: The surgeon who would have removed Ellie’s brain is permanently stopped by Joel, but it is suggested that Ellie’s brain could hold the cure for Cordyceps.
- Why did Joel prevent the cure?: Joel lied about the cure to protect Ellie, discovering that the surgery requires removing parts of Ellie’s brain and causing him to go on a rampage to save her.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection is a complex and multifaceted topic, with various factors contributing to her unique condition. By exploring these FAQs, we can gain a deeper understanding of Ellie’s immunity and the world of The Last of Us. The Cordyceps infection and its effects on humanity are a central theme in the series, and Ellie’s immunity plays a crucial role in the story. As we continue to explore the world of The Last of Us, we may uncover more secrets about Ellie’s immunity and the possibilities it holds for the future of humanity.