Love Pork and Ham? Learn a Bit about the Piggy Bank of Virus as well

According to CDC, people older than 65 years (born before 1944), are less affected by H1N1 and it is due to the fact that they had the prior immunity to the virus. Probably they had been exposed to a virus similar enough to the new H1N1 for the developed antibodies to still provide protection.

A research group from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine tried to test this hypothesis using mice. They were set as measure of the protection offered by the antibodies developed against various lineages of human influenza, from 1918 to the present day.

More research on this has led to the discovery that human and pigs have evolved in parallel direction and hence antibodies against human lineages will be effective against swine virus as well. Until 1943, the human and swine lineages have not diverged so as to end cross immunity. This similarity is still present as proved by few experiments. Hence people vaccinated in and around 1976 or infected with older lineages have protective immunity against newly evolved H1N1.

Now what exactly can be concluded from this? The results forecast some interesting implications. Previously pigs were considered intermediate between birds and humans. But with time it has been observed that they are usually the reservoirs of the virus that infect us and the immune system has forgotten this. Now if these viruses leap to human again and in due course while humans and pigs will significantly diverge, these viruses will have another susceptible host for themselves. Another point to be kept in mind is that youth should be targeted for vaccination against the new strains of virus as aged population has already grown immune to the same.

Although pigs and humans have common origin, yet they have separated with different rate of evolution. While humans have a heterogeneous population with lots of diversity, the lineages tend to escape the previous immunity. On the other hand pigs have lesser life span and homogeneous population. So they tend to house the virus in them creating a safe reservoir.

“4th International Conference on Influenza and Zoonotic Diseases” will encounter discussions on various topics delving deeper into the cause and trying to find a solution together. Scientists and industrialists around the globe will gather in Vienna, Austria to share their ideas to discover a better solution to this fatal problem.

To know more and discuss the pros and cons, visit: https://influenza.conferenceseries.com/

To join the conference contact: aiyanastewart2@gmail.com

World Immunization Week: Let's Take Pledge for a Healthy World

The last of week of April is acknowledged as World Immunization Week. The main motto is to raise awareness of the importance of child and adult immunizations.

As per WHO results vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million deaths annually from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles. In addition to averting illness and deaths, immunizations will lead to limited spread of drug resistance as antibiotic use is reduced.

Rightly quoted by Walter A. Orenstein, MD, president of National Foundation for Infectious Diseases “A key goal of World Immunization Week is to increase global immunization coverage”. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also saves the community from the contagion. Moreover children with some complications who cannot take medicines can be helped through vaccination. High vaccination coverage helps to protect vulnerable individuals, as eliminating transmission prevents exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases. As reported last year, Minnesota witnessed the largest measles outbreak owing to some anti-vaccine activists in an immigrant community. Moreover, Influenza viruses are mutable and recent news in China cites that avian influenza A (H7N9) virus has split into two strains out of which one is resistant to existing vaccine.

With all these news coming to fore, it is quite evident that while on one side people are least aware of the benefits of vaccination, on the other hand the virus is growing more deadly and powerful. We have very less time to waste now. This World Immunization Week, let us take the oath of learning right things about flu, spreading genuine awareness and focusing more on better disease surveillance and prevention.

This July (2^nd and 3^rd), Vienna will host two days of brainstorming sessions at “4^th International Conference on Influenza and Zoonotic Disease” delving deeper into the roots of problem.

Be a part and visit: https://influenza.conferenceseries.com/

Feel free to contact: aiyanastewart2@gmail.com

This Flu Season Get Your Genuine Flu Shot For Better Health

The Hazards of Flu

With more research on the fatal fever, it is coming to fore that people with chronic diseases, such as heart problems, are more prone to developing complications during flu. These can be manifested as bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Patients share their experience of increased heart-beat, excessive drying of body fluids and many more. During flu season, it is no wonder that beds would not be available in hospitals. This worsens the situation even more.

You Have the Power to Fight Flu

While people generally neglect about the flu shots till they are not affected, those with underlying illness must not go on that road. It is desirable to get on time flu shots. Take every little precaution like washing your hands properly, wearing a mask etc. As it is said, prevention is better than cure. It is like creating a protective barrier around yourself so that you are not affected more.

Whether you have a congenital heart disease or any other certain long-term medical conditions, or you have loved ones or care for someone with certain long-term medical conditions, it is very important to take steps to protect yourself and those around you.

Enlisted below are few medical conditions which trigger flu complications:

Asthma, neurological problems, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, HIV-AIDS, Obesity.

Gain The Power To Fight:

1.       Flu vaccination. It is recommended for all (6 months and above) to take flu shots every year. This will reduce the vulnerability towards complications during flu season, especially for people with existing illness.

2.      Daily Preventive Actions. It is desirable to take anti-flu measures through everyday actions so that the spread of flu is stopped. It is a measure for you and your loved ones. It is a measure to gain a healthy surrounding.

3.      Flu Antiviral Drugs. When the complications are too worse, it is better to go to the doctor. Many antiviral drugs are available and the doctor knows the right one to be prescribed according to the prevailing medical condition of the patient.

It is a step towards a healthy world and everyone should play their part. More to be discussed in “4^th International Conference on Influenza and Zoonotic Diseases” hosted in Vienna, Austria during 02-03, July 2018.

• To know more visit: https://influenza.conferenceseries.com/
• Queries can be resolved by Aiyana Stewart at aiyanastewart2@gmail.com