Here are my answers to questions about the currently circulating influenza H1N1 strain (formerly swine flu) sent by readers of virology blog. A reader from Mexico shared the following numbers with virology blog, then asked a question about hog cholera. Q: There are 312 confirmed cases of swine virus here in Mexico and 12 of …
Influenza A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1): Questions and answers Read More »
Within the influenza A virion are eight segments of viral RNA. These molecules carry the all the information needed to make new influenza virus particles. These eight RNAs are shown schematically as olive green lines at the top of the illustration. RNAs are chains of four different nucleotides, A, C, G, U. In the case …
Here is an update on the global swine flu situation as of 29 April 2009. There are now 257 laboratory confirmed cases, with 7 deaths, in 11 countries. In the US there are 109 cases in 11 states. There are many more suspected cases; together the statistics indicate widespread dissemination of the new H1N1 influenza …
In this week’s discussion of swine flu A/Mexico/09 (H1N1), we have considered many aspects of influenza virus biology that might not be familiar to some readers of virology blog. I thought it might be useful to explain how the virus multiplies, how it infects us, and how we combat infection. Today we’ll start with the …
Here are my answers to questions about swine flu sent by readers of virology blog: Q: Am I missing something? How can a summer pandemic be unprecedented? You cited a pretty famous example of one. In fact nearly all of your examples seem to have occurred partly or mostly “out of season”. A: You are …
Swine flu A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1): Questions and answers Read More »
The isolates of influenza virus obtained in the current global outbreak have proven to be resistant to the adamantane antivirals, but susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Consequently the two neuraminidase inhibitors will likely be used extensively to control the outbreak until a vaccine is available. Extended use of the antiviral drugs will undoubtedly …
Oseltamivir resistance decreases influenza aerosol transmission Read More »
