Sight of someone potentially infectious causes immune response, research suggests

A child with chickenpox. Researchers found differences in participants’ blood when they were shown the infectious avatars compared with neutral or fearful faces. Photograph: Pixel-shot/Alamy

Whether it’s the person brandishing a tissue on the train or the child with the telltale signs of chickenpox, the threat of an infection can be enough for us to beat a retreat.

Now researchers using virtual reality avatars have shown that the mere sight of a potentially contagious person is enough to mobilise our immune system too.