The spike protein is the vehicle that initiates cell entry via an ACE2 receptor. The Omicron spike is much more different than the Delta and previous ones. We have discussed this before. Here we attempt a bit of empiricism and rationalism, measurements and logic. We do not have dispositive experimental data as of yet. But let us begin.
1. The Corona virus attached its spike protein to the ACE2 receptor in a cell.
2. The virus then enters the cell, and duplicates itself again and again and also causes massive damage to the cell.
3. The binding of the spike and ACE2R (the cells receptor and gateway to inside the cell) is due to charged sections on both proteins. The charges are a result of which amino acids are connected to which other amino acids.
4. However thermodynamic processes effect the topology of the proteins and this their binding properties. The warmer the local temperature the more active and stretched out is the protein.
5. The original Wuhan strain as then Delta seem to require 98.6F and higher to open the spike to bind. Perhaps it is also an ACE2R issue as well.
5. Thus the prior variants had to make it to the lung to be activated and do their damage. Like a flu virus.
6. However, the Omicron variant seems to be activated at lower temperatures thus causing an upper respirator response. Namely Omicron activates at temperatures in the nose and throat. The details are lacking but some experimental evidence has been shown.
7. Moreover, when the response occurs, namely the virus gets inside the cell, the virus is multiplying aggressively. Thus in Omicron the multiplication occurs in the nasopharynx, totally unlike the other variants. Thus it spreads more easily. It may also spread in a different manner. The problem is that we still really do not know how these spread. Note that if it is by aerosols, the lung aerosols are much smaller than nasal aerosols! Does this mean anything? We really do not know!
8. The older variants could infect and then take a long while to exhibit symptoms due to the need to passage to the lungs. Whereas the Omicron is like a common cold, it reacts and multiplies almost instantly and creates a cloud of viral aerosols. Thus the increased infectivity.
9. In vaccinated people one suspects that there is lung protection as one would see in a flu, allowing time to have the adaptive immune system respond. However in Omicron like the common cold the innate system explodes with massive cytokines and thus the symptoms.
10. Thia may also explain why the vaccines are less potent, most of the antibodies are in the lung cells as are the memory T cells. The nose has never seen this stuff before. In a sense it is a different infection.
11. How long does the virus in Omicron hang around? Now we use some logic plus facts. The previous versions lived in the nice warm lung, multiplying as the adaptive immune system responded. Apparently spreading the lung infection demanded some heavy talking or breathing to get those aerosols out. Also symptoms took longer from data of initial infection. Thus the older versions had a long lead time and possibly five days works. Now for the Omicron, it starts almost immediately and takes a long time fighting with the innate and adaptive immune system. My clinical experience say it may be 15 days from data of infection, almost date of symptoms, to a low viral load. Thus one must not compare apples to oranges. Yet.
One may ask if the above is correct. The literature provides some empirical evidence the remainder is Galen.
Finally, and most importantly, the Jesuitical Sophist seems clueless on these issues. It would be nice if we had someone who could say what we known, and empiricist, then what we can logically determine, the rationalist, and then let people know there is still a lot of work in progress.
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