Archive for the ‘Information’ Category
The scare brought about by the new and rising threat from the new and improved H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has scientists clamoring for an immediate cure with the H5N1 still fresh on their minds. The H1N1 strain is still part of the flu family but with a very dangerous twist, it is a combination of the H1N1(swine), H5N1(Avian) and the Human Flu virus that like the other strains is transmittable and can be transmitted from species to species. From animal species it jumps easily to humans and that cross-species jumping trait is a very dangerous combination. Read the rest of this entry »
It has long been known that viruses, though not able to replicate themselves have the uncanny ability to genetically modify the way they work as they spread through a community. Many questions are in need of answers, such as why some people get horribly sick and some don’t. Or how the virus evolved to jump the species barrier in the first place.
Scientists have gained ground and have come out with vaccines that used to be quite rare but have stepped up production making it more accessible to more people. The problem with viruses is their diverse and ever evolving genetic make-up that makes them hard to treat. Along with evolving bacteria known as MRSA which are not treatable with common antibiotics, they are a challenge indeed in the never ending battle within the human body.
In hopes of minimizing and controlling the spread of the deadly flu virus, the US FDA has approved the sale of the very first ever anti-viral face mask to help combat the spread of the flu. With better understanding of the virus and the way it spreads, which is mainly through getting passed from one person to the other through coughing or from other environmental sources it is hoped that the use of the product will help health care facilities better prevent the spread of the disease.
Called BioMask, it is treated to kill and prevent the spread of the virus to and from infected sources. The costs of having to deal with outbreak are mounting and with better tools to help combat the disease, it is hoped that it will someday be as simple as the common cold.
Flu has been considered one of the most prevalent diseases the world over and with the strain we now call H1N1 or more commonly “Swine Flu/Bird Flu”. Throughout history, scientists have been able to isolate and identify major events/pandemics that have caused deaths sometimes into the millions. Thanks to the advent of a better understanding of genetics and many other advances in the field of virology vaccines are now available that encompasses a wide swath of the many strains this virus takes.
Many in the developed world have received their vaccines but sadly, with most of the world’s population in developing countries a lot still needs to be done. Scientists and medical experts are now armed with better understanding of how the virus spreads and are better equipped than ever to tackle another outbreak should it occur.
Bird flu has caused chicken loving individuals to go foul celibate for a pretty significant period of time. The scare has taken over Asia since early last year. It started with birds in China being infected with the virus, then as the birds migrated; they ended up contaminating other birds in the process. Bird flu is deadly to humans when consumed, it is amusing to note that the flu does not harm the birds as much. Birds can die from it of course, but some have been known to survive the flu, the virus is only detrimental when consumed but for safety reasons, people have been advised to keep away from supposed contaminated birds just in case the virus is able to affect humans even without the consumption part.