Is Ellie Immune Because Her Mom Was Bitten?
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Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection is a result of her exposure to the fungus at birth, which sent a chemical message to the Cordyceps that entered her body when she was bitten, making her immune. The fact that her mom, Anna, was bitten before giving birth to Ellie played a crucial role in Ellie’s immunity, as the Cordyceps present in Anna’s system was transferred to Ellie through the umbilical cord.
Understanding Ellie’s Immunity
To delve deeper into Ellie’s unique situation, let’s examine the specifics of her immunity and the circumstances surrounding her birth.
FAQs About Ellie’s Immunity
1. How Did Ellie Become Immune to the Cordyceps Infection?
Ellie’s immunity is due to her exposure to Cordyceps at birth, which allowed her body to develop a chemical messenger that makes normal Cordyceps think she is Cordyceps.
2. Can Ellie Infect Others by Biting Them?
Ellie almost certainly cannot infect others in The Last of Us, as the Cordyceps fungus inside her body has grown with her since birth, making her a unique case.
3. How Does Ellie’s Immunity Work?
Ellie’s immunity works because the Cordyceps that entered her body when she was bitten already recognizes her as Cordyceps, thanks to the chemical messenger sent by the Cordyceps she was exposed to at birth.
4. Why Is Ellie Immune to Spores?
Ellie is immune to spores because the Cordyceps inside her body grew up with her, and her body has developed a way to recognize and coexist with the fungus.
5. Is Joel Immune to the Cordyceps Infection?
Joel is not immune to the Cordyceps infection, but he may have narrowly avoided being infected due to his food choices.
6. Are There Other Immune People Like Ellie?
There are no other known immune people like Ellie, making her a rare and unique case in the post-pandemic world.
7. Was Ellie Bitten Twice?
Ellie was bitten twice, but her immunity to the Cordyceps infection protected her from becoming infected.
8. How Did Ellie Know Tess Was Bitten?
Ellie realized Tess was infected when she saw the bite mark on her shoulder, which was inflicted by a runner during a fight in the museum.
9. Can Ellie Infect Dina?
Ellie cannot infect Dina, despite having Cordyceps fungus inside her body, as her immunity prevents her from spreading the infection.
10. How Did Ellie Survive the Bite?
Ellie survived the bite because her body had already developed a chemical messenger that makes normal Cordyceps think she is Cordyceps.
11. Why Did the Infected Kiss Tess?
The infected kissed Tess to transfer tendrils of the evolved Cordyceps fungi into her body, infecting her with the Cordyceps.
12. Who Is Ellie’s Mom?
Ellie’s mom is Anna, who was bitten by an infected before giving birth to Ellie.
13. How Did Marlene Know Ellie Was Immune?
Marlene knew Ellie was immune because the doctor had examined Ellie and discovered that the Cordyceps had grown with her since birth, making her immune.
14. Is Abby Immune to the Cordyceps Infection?
Abby is not confirmed to be immune, but she does have a bite-mark scar on her arm, suggesting she may have been bitten and survived.
15. Why Does Ellie Wear a Mask If She’s Immune?
Ellie wears a gas mask to protect herself from spores and to keep her immunity a secret, as not everyone knows she is immune to the Cordyceps infection.