Why is the incidence of infection with 2009 H1N1 influenza highest among 5-24 year olds, and lowest in those over 65 years of age? Were the oldsters previously infected with a related influenza virus, or is there another explanation? The sera of individuals born in the early part of the 20th century have antibodies that …
Being older is a good defense against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus Read More »
“Do Women Need Such Big Flu Shots?” suggests that we would have more doses of influenza 2009 H1N1 vaccine if we accounted for the biological differences between men and women. The idea is that women generate a stronger antibody response than men, and therefore require less vaccine. Does this idea have scientific support? The opinion …
Do women need the same amount of influenza vaccine as men? Read More »
My interminable 2.5 hour commute this morning was made tolerable by listening to the Quackcast #35 from Mark Crislip, “Flu vaccine efficacy and 18 taradiddles”. In this excellent and highly recommended episode, Dr. Crislip addresses the contention that the influenza virus vaccine is worthless. To make it even easier for you to listen to this …
Earlier this year an influenza virus animation spread on YouTube just after the emergence of swine-origin influenza H1N1. I invited readers to criticise the animation which contained several errors. A much better depiction of influenza virus animation has been created by XVIVO. It’s not only more beautifully rendered, but is scientifically much more accurate. A …
A reader of the post “Severe cases of pandemic influenza” asked whether I could comment on an article in The Atlantic which questions the efficacy of the influenza vaccine in the elderly population. I passed the request on to Revere at Effect Measure who wrote an excellent and thoughtful response, “Journalists sink in The Atlantic …
Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-like virus (XMRV) was discovered in 2006 during a search for viral sequences in prostate cancer tissues. The results of a recent study revealed that the virus is present in 23% of prostate cancers from patients in the US. Understanding the role of XMRV in prostate cancers requires more extensive epidemiological studies, …
