Why is Ellie Immune?
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Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection is attributed to her exposure to the infection at birth, when her mother, Anna, was bitten by an Infected while pregnant, allowing the Cordyceps to transfer from Anna’s system to Ellie’s through the umbilical cord. This unique exposure sent a “chemical message” to the Cordyceps that entered her body, making her immune to the infection and unable to infect others.
Understanding Ellie’s Immunity
To delve deeper into Ellie’s immunity, let’s explore some frequently asked questions that provide more insight into her condition and the world of The Last of Us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Ellie the only one immune?: Ellie is the only known person to be immune to the Cordyceps infection, as confirmed by the doctors’ examinations and Marlene’s explanations.
- How did Ellie survive the bite?: Ellie survived the bite because her system learned to fight the Cordyceps from birth, making her immune to the infection.
- Can Ellie infect others?: Ellie cannot infect others because she is immune to the Cordyceps infection, and her body does not produce the spores that spread the infection.
- Did Ellie lose her immunity?: There is no indication that Ellie lost her immunity; in fact, her immunity remained intact even after being bitten again.
- Why did Joel prevent the cure?: Joel prevented the cure to protect Ellie, fearing that she would be sacrificed in the process of developing a vaccine.
- Did Ellie know Joel lied?: Ellie chose to believe Joel’s lie to protect herself from further harm, although deep down, she suspected the truth.
- How is Ellie immune to Cordyceps?: Ellie’s immunity is linked to her mother’s bite during pregnancy, which transferred Cordyceps to her through the umbilical cord.
- Why is Joel not infected?: Joel likely avoided infection by not consuming contaminated food and taking precautions to avoid exposure to the Cordyceps spores.
- How did Joel know Ellie was immune?: Joel learned about Ellie’s immunity from Marlene and the doctors at the Fireflies’ hospital.
- What infection did Joel have?: There is no indication that Joel had any infection; however, he did survive a bite, likely due to Ellie’s medical care.
- How did Joel survive being bitten?: Joel survived the bite thanks to Ellie’s quick action in cleaning and sewing up the wound, as well as his own resilience.
- Did Ellie’s mom get bit?: Yes, Anna, Ellie’s mother, was bitten by an Infected while pregnant with Ellie.
- Are there other immune like Ellie?: So far, there are no other known immune survivors in The Last of Us universe.
- Can Ellie get bitten again?: Yes, Ellie can get bitten again, but her immunity protects her from infection.
- Do they ever find a cure in The Last of Us?: Unfortunately, a cure for the Cordyceps infection is never found in The Last of Us series, leaving Ellie’s immunity as a unique phenomenon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ellie’s immunity to the Cordyceps infection is a result of her exposure to the Cordyceps at birth, making her a unique individual in the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us. Her immunity has significant implications for the story and raises questions about the possibility of finding a cure for the infection. As the series progresses, Ellie’s character continues to evolve, and her immunity remains a central aspect of her identity and the world she inhabits.