https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Therwas+an+edit+and+I+was+freaking+outexplain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-04-18T07:21:33ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=2443:_Immune_Response&diff=2092212443: Immune Response2021-03-30T20:20:06Z<p>Therwas an edit and I was freaking out: /* Explanation */ The inmune symptom sounded really weird, also later it was referenced again as system</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 2443<br />
| date = March 29, 2021<br />
| title = Immune Response<br />
| image = immune_response.png<br />
| titletext = I don't care whether you win or lose, as long as you have-- ...okay, sorry, I'm being reminded I very much care whether you win or lose. I need you to win, that's very important.<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Explanation==<br />
{{incomplete|Created by a HEROIC IMMUNE CELL. Please mention here why this explanation isn't complete. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}<br />
This is another comic in a [[:Category:COVID-19|series]] related to the {{w|2019-20 coronavirus outbreak|2020 pandemic}} of the {{w|coronavirus}} {{w|SARS-CoV-2}}, which causes {{w|COVID-19}}.<br />
<br />
The vaccine is either virus proteins or the genetic code to create one of the important virus proteins, which the cells construct. The immune system then fights the proteins as though they were the real virus, thus gaining the knowledge of how to ward off the virus if it ever actually shows up.<br />
<br />
In this comic, [[Cueball]] has just received the COVID-19 vaccine and so far does not have any major symptoms. He is worried that his immune system is "freaking out" with its reaction to the vaccine, and begins to reassure it the vaccine isn't the real virus. However, [[Megan]] reminds him that he does want his immune system to panic and to build immunity. In the final panel, Cueball tells his immune system that he is about to die, and urges them on to fight.<br />
<br />
In the title text, Cueball starts to give his body a pep talk about how he doesn't care if it wins or loses as long as it has fun, then remembers if his immune system somehow ''lost'' (to such a weak threat as the vaccine), he would die. So he very much does care that it doesn't lose.<br />
<br />
==Transcript==<br />
:[Megan is walking toward Cueball, who is holding his arm.]<br />
:Megan: How you feeling?<br />
:Cueball: Not bad. Tired. A little sore.<br />
<br />
:[Zoom in on Cueball. He looks down at his arms, which are held out.]<br />
:Cueball: I feel bad for my immune system. It doesn't know this isn't a real virus. It must be freaking out. <br />
:Cueball: Hey buddy, don't worry! We're going to be fine. This is just practice!<br />
<br />
:[Zoom out. Megan gestures at Cueball, as he holds his arm.]<br />
:Megan: No, don't tell it ''that''. You '''''want''''' it to panic and build defenses that will be able to handle the real thing.<br />
:Cueball: I guess. <br />
:Cueball: Okay, let me try that again. <br />
:Cueball: *ahem*<br />
<br />
:[Cueball dramatically clutches at his chest.]<br />
:Cueball: Woe! My arm is stricken by a dreadful plague! <br />
:Cueball: I feel death draw near! My only hope is those heroic immune cells!<br />
:Megan: Perfect.<br />
:Cueball [small text]: ''Psst - you're doing great! I'm so proud of you.''<br />
<br />
{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:COVID-19]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]</div>Therwas an edit and I was freaking out