A scary perspective on "bird flu"...

**Busyman** · 10-27-2005, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by vidcc

I'm not so sure, the other day there were some communist pigeons in Washington saying "coup coup"

**hobbes** · 10-28-2005, 12:12 AM

Every year the influenza A virus shows up in the US with a slightly different coat. Since the virus generally starts in China and works is way around the world, we take the current strain there and create a vaccine, which we give at this time of year as the flu shot.

An antigen is simply a structure on the virus which stimulates the human body to form antibodies. The formed antibodies, when they see the antigen again, attack and destroy. The key with viruses is that they subtly change their antigens so that our immune systems do not recognize them. Like growing a mustache or dying their hair.

The flu shot is a little different every year to take into account the subtle change called antigenic drift. Our bodies recognize it, but not as vigorously as if it has not changed at all. Every 75 years or so a strain develops which has an antigenic shift. This means that the change is drastic enough so that the our antibodies do not recognize this strain and it has the potential to really thin the herd, and that is the real reason for flu shots. Instead of killing the old and infirm, it wipes us all out. I guess this would be like getting a sex change operation.

By being able to reproduce the 1918 strain, we can produce a flu shot for it which would engender an antibody response by the body, rendering it as impotent as smallpox.

With a virus, the key is immunization. With bacterial pathogens, the key is antibiotics. If the bubonic plague returns, a little penicillin will do the trick.

**j2k4** · 10-28-2005, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by 3RA1N1AC

viruses evolve? but... but... what about intelligent design?

Satan?

**j2k4** · 10-28-2005, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by GepperRankins

maybe we should launch some pre emptive nukes at china, burn the virus up before it spreads (and get rid of the US's only rival

: )

What's this "we" shit?

**GepperRankins** · 10-28-2005, 03:24 AM

sorry. maybe the coalition of the willing should do it

**Barbarossa** · 10-28-2005, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by hobbes

With a virus, the key is immunization. With bacterial pathogens, the key is antibiotics. If the bubonic plague returns, a little penicillin will do the trick.

I agree. However new strains of bacteria have evolved which are resistant to penicillin, because it has been over-used in the past. This stuff really frightens me, the fact that there are dangerous bacteria out there that are resistant to ALL known antibiotics.

**Gripper** · 10-28-2005, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by hobbes

Every year the influenza A virus shows up in the US with a slightly different coat. Since the virus generally starts in China and works is way around the world, we take the current strain there and create a vaccine, which we give at this time of year as the flu shot.

An antigen is simply a structure on the virus which stimulates the human body to form antibodies. The formed antibodies, when they see the antigen again, attack and destroy. The key with viruses is that they subtly change their antigens so that our immune systems do not recognize them. Like growing a mustache or dying their hair.

The flu shot is a little different every year to take into account the subtle change called antigenic drift. Our bodies recognize it, but not as vigorously as if it has not changed at all. Every 75 years or so a strain develops which has an antigenic shift. This means that the change is drastic enough so that the our antibodies do not recognize this strain and it has the potential to really thin the herd, and that is the real reason for flu shots. Instead of killing the old and infirm, it wipes us all out. I guess this would be like getting a sex change operation.

By being able to reproduce the 1918 strain, we can produce a flu shot for it which would engender an antibody response by the body, rendering it as impotent as smallpox.

With a virus, the key is immunization. With bacterial pathogens, the key is antibiotics. If the bubonic plague returns, a little penicillin will do the trick.

That is very informative till I read your sig I was reassured.