Does previous exposure to influenza H1N1 viruses, either by infection or vaccination, provide any protection against infection with the new H1N1 influenza virus strains? The answer to this question might provide insight as to why over 60% of confirmed cases of influenza caused by the swine-like H1N1 viruses in the US are in 5- to …
Adults have cross-reactive antibodies to A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) Read More »
We’ve briefly considered the structure of influenza virions and how the viral RNAs can encode one or more proteins. Now we’ll consider how influenza viruses multiply. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites: they cannot reproduce outside of a cell. The production of new infectious particles must take place within a cell. Upon entering cells, viruses parasitize …
The best way to prevent influenza is by immunization. Unlike vaccines for polio and measles, which confer life-long immunity, the influenza vaccine protects for only one year. Influenza virus undergoes antigenic variation, necessitating annual production of a new vaccine. Is it possible to formulate an influenza vaccine that protects against all virus strains for life? Two studies …
