How was Ellie exposed to cordyceps as a fetus?
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Ellie was exposed to Cordyceps as a fetus when her mother, Anna, was bitten by an infected person moments before giving birth, allowing the fungus to pass through the umbilical cord and into Ellie’s system. This exposure occurred despite Anna’s attempts to cut the umbilical cord immediately after realizing she had been bitten, as some Cordyceps still managed to transfer to Ellie, ultimately granting her immunity to the infection.
Understanding Ellie’s Exposure
The Incident
The incident in which Ellie’s mother, Anna, was bitten by an infected person just before giving birth to Ellie is crucial in understanding how Ellie developed her immunity. This event sets the stage for Ellie’s unique condition, where she carries Cordyceps in her system from birth, making her immune to the Cordyceps infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Ellie immune because her mom was bit while pregnant? Yes, Ellie’s immunity is linked to her mother being bitten by an infected person while she was pregnant, which allowed Cordyceps to enter Ellie’s system through the umbilical cord.
- How is Ellie immune to the Cordyceps virus? Ellie’s immunity comes from the Cordyceps already in her system, which acts as a chemical messenger that makes normal Cordyceps think she is one of them.
- Did Ellie’s mom cut the cord before she was bit? No, Ellie’s mom, Anna, was bitten before she cut the umbilical cord, although she claimed otherwise to Marlene.
- Why didn’t Ellie get infected as a baby? Ellie didn’t get infected as a baby because the Cordyceps in her system, which she got from her mother, Anna, makes her seem like one of them to other Cordyceps.
- Is Ellie the only one immune? The show and games suggest that Ellie is the only known person immune to the Cordyceps infection, making her a unique case.
- Can Ellie spread the virus? It’s unlikely that Ellie can spread the Cordyceps virus to others, as her immunity works in a way that she doesn’t carry the infectious form of the fungus.
- Was Ellie infected as a baby? Ellie was exposed to Cordyceps as a baby through her mother’s bite and the umbilical cord, but this exposure granted her immunity instead of infecting her.
- What is the source of Ellie’s immunity? The source of Ellie’s immunity is the Cordyceps that entered her system through the umbilical cord when her mother, Anna, was bitten.
- How did Joel know Ellie was immune? Joel learned about Ellie’s immunity when they reached the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, and the doctors there explained how her body reacted to the Cordyceps.
- Why was Ellie’s face changed in the game? Ellie’s face was changed in the game to better reflect the personality of the actress playing her and to make her look younger.
- Who was Ellie’s real dad? Very little is known about Ellie’s biological parents, except that her mother, Anna, was a nurse who died shortly after Ellie’s birth.
- Can a cure be made from Ellie? The possibility of making a cure from Ellie’s immunity is never fully explored in the games or the show, leaving it as an unresolved question.
- Did Ellie’s blood save Sam? No, Ellie’s blood did not save Sam when he was bitten, as her immunity does not work as a cure for others.
- Why didn’t Joel get infected? Joel may have avoided infection due to his food choices and not because of any immunity like Ellie’s.
- Do they ever find a cure in The Last of Us? No cure is ever found or made in The Last of Us games or the HBO show, with Ellie’s immunity remaining a unique and unreplicated phenomenon.