Covid-19. For people with atopic disease and asthma, the risk is 38% lower compared to people without these conditions. A separate study showed that people with food allergies were 50% less likely to become infected with the coronavirus.
To be able to infect the body, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) attaches to a specific protein called the ACE2 receptor.
This protein provides the entry point for the virus to infect a wide range of human cells. Having higher amounts of ACE2 receptors is associated with increased susceptibility to Covid infection.
People who smoke, have diabetes, or have high blood pressure (all of which are associated with a higher likelihood of severe Covid) have more ACE2 receptors.