this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2026
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[–] pageflight@piefed.social 9 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Is it accurate to understand this as putting the lungs' immune response into a heightened state of response/alert? It doesn't sound like it's training the immune system about specific pathogens (or families of them). If that's true, why doesn't the body just do this already — is there a cost associated?

[–] Levi@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 month ago

I was thinking the same thing. There probably is a downside to having the innate immune system active 24/7, even if we don't know what it is yet.

A magical nasal spray that gets rid of allergies for 3 months sure does sound nice though.

[–] LurkingLuddite@piefed.social 11 points 1 month ago

Autoimmune diseases are most often caused by an overactive immune system. I don't expect this development to go well for most people in the long term.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Active macrophages can damage healthy cells. It's a very serious condition when they do, and it can lead to runaway cellular death. It doesn't mean that this treatment will cause MAS, but it's a risk that should be investigated with human trials.

It also has a metabolic cost, in that the active cells consume energy and oxygen, but I don't know if it would be a noticeable effect for the average person.

My guess is that this would be something you use when you are at increased risk for cold and flu. Like nurses and doctors, teachers and childcare workers, and nursing home staff during the fall and winter.

[–] Kirp123@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Yeah, active macrophages will release cytokines and other inflammatory substances. Prolonged inflammation is linked with increased rates of cancer.

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

My knee-jerk here is: “Ungh! United States? Not sure I trust that…”

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 12 points 1 month ago

They're including a tracking chip in the vaccine. I learned about this on the Google News app I have installed on my cell phone, television, computer, car, gaming systems, smarthome appliances, and eyeglasses.

[–] TheReturnOfPEB@reddthat.com 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

still waiting on a poison ivy vaccine over here

[–] Evil_Incarnate@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

Ask my dog, he sticks his nose in nettles all summer.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago

I'd previously read the innate immune system boost from the TB vaccine, and the polio vaccine, lasted a lifetime. People with the TB vaccine have lower health ailments across the board, and it's been borne out by multiple unrelated studies, according to a series of articles published in the Times in the spring of 2020. Their definition of innate immunity wasn't quite the way the article is describing it either they called the lifelong health benefits of the TB and Polio vaccines as innate immunity. They also said we didn't really know why it helps we only have a vague idea.

[–] TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago

This almost sounds too good to be true. Amazing! I hope it doesn't have downsides and will be affordable for everyone.