Swine Flu (H1N1) Update 18th June 2009
H1N1 variant form of flu, also known as swine flu continues to present the media and the scientific community with complex questions. The result is a slowly developing dichotomy between those that think the event is being overplayed and those that feel the greatest threat to human health this century is unfolding before them. The details coming out each day suggest that both camps have some reason to feel they are on the right side of the fence. The timing is probably too soon and more will be revealed over the coming weeks, in the meantime the NHS in the UK and the CDC in the USA provide opportunities for critical clinical information via their web pages.
Related articles:
- Swine Flu – Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection
- Swine Flu: How Proportionate Is The Pandemic Response?
- Swine flu spread matches previous flu pandemics
- Does New Swine Flu Virus Kill By Causing a Cytokine Storm?
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The immune system is prone to the same grave misfortunes as any defense system handling weapons: collateral damage that comes with the destruction of the enemy on one’s own territory and friendly fire due to mistaken identity. Whereas the collateral damage is the price we pay for clearance of infections, autoimmunity is a pathological process. Nevertheless, the effector mechanisms involved in both processes are the same. Whether environment can be a cause, a trigger or an amplifier of an autoimmune disease are questions that are being intensively investigated.
