Warning: Major spoilers ahead for 28 Years LaterWhile the Infected of 28 Years Later are every bit as dangerous as their predecessors from the original 28 Days Later, the new movie reveals a rather elementary method of protection against them. There are several new Infected variants in the long-awaited sequel, as the Rage Virus at the franchise’s core has had nearly three decades to evolve and mutate. While the grotesque “Slow-Low” creatures may not pose the biggest threat to the hyper-vigilant visitors to the mainland, the gigantic, ultra-strong and ultra-fast Alphas are the most dangerous threat that the survivors have ever faced.
However, by the ending of 28 Years Later, a genuine method of repelling the Infected is revealed, although very few survivors learn about it. The exceedingly simple method is first demonstrated by Ralph Fiennes’ character Dr. Kelson, whose very survival on the mainland for almost 30 years is proof positive that it works. With a sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, already announced, it seems likely that Kelson’s simple trick to ward off the Infected could play a role in the future, especially if Spike (Alfie Williams) is to survive on the mainland.
Dr. Kelson Uses Iodine To Keep Infected Away In 28 Years Later
He Covers His Entire Body In The Disinfectant
When Isla and Spike first meet Dr. Kelson, he rescues them from the Alpha he’s dubbed Samson. They’re shocked to find the man covered in a yellowish-red tint that could be blood, at first glance. However, the former doctor informs them that it’s iodine, and that he covers his body in it to ward off the Infected. It has proven to be an effective repellent, although there is no implication that it’s effective in subduing or harming them. Kelson relies on morphine-coated blow darts to keep the Infected (even the Alphas) at bay instead.
Why Iodine Protects Dr. Kelson From The Infected
The Traditional Antiseptic Works As An Antiviral
Kelson speaks about the Rage Virus as a sentient enтιтy, and notes it hates iodine. As a medical doctor, Kelson undoubtedly knows that iodine, in addition to being a first-rate antimicrobial and antiseptic, is effective as an antiviral agent, although it has different effectiveness depending on the virus type. The fact that iodine works to ward off the Infected speaks to its efficacy against the Rage Virus, as a virus infecting people at the cellular level manifests in a resistance to the chemical compound on the part of the entire organism.
Kelson’s ability to create an iodine solution could be a clever callback to Naomie Harris’ character Selena from 28 Days Later, who notably “qualified as a chemist”, and therefore had a backpack full of medication when Cillian Murphy’s Jim meets her.
28 Years Later doesn’t clarify how Kelson has kept his iodine supplies intact over the course of the last 28 years, although the highly-intelligent doctor could certainly have the knowledge to create his own tincture. Iodine can be found in a plethora of natural sources, including fish, dairy, and even human blood, so Kelson may know how to obtain the other elements that make up the typical iodine solution. Typical iodine solutions have an expiration date, so the doctor has clearly found some method of manufacture for the compound that allows him to live on the mainland relatively unbothered.
Why Other People Don’t Know The Infected Hate Iodine
Kelson Is One Of The Only Surviving Doctors
The main reason that Spike takes his mother to the mainland to seek out Kelson is because there are no medical doctors that live in the community on Hope Island. That means it’s likely that there are very few survivors left who even recognize iodine as a common antiseptic, much less who would have the wherewithal to use it as a deterrent to the Rage Virus. There certainly aren’t any people who would have the ability to manufacture an iodine solution left in the Hope Island community. Dr. Kelson’s iodine repellent could be a major factor in the sequel to 28 Years Later and beyond.
