Posted on 10/23/2009 9:53:20 AM PDT by neverdem
Exposure to the H1N1 pandemic flu virus could protect people from H5N1 bird flu, the Emerging Health Threats Forum has reported.
Research suggests that previous infection with the pandemic influenza virus strain could provide some immunity against the H5N1 virus. Experts speculate that this could protect against severe illness from bird flu. The H5N1 strain, kept under watch for its pandemic potential, has so far proved lethal in 60% of people infected with it.
Kristien Van Reeth and colleagues at Ghent University infected pigs with a closely related “predecessor” to the current pandemic strain of the flu virus. Four weeks later they also infected these animals with the H5N1 virus, and found that they had developed some immunity to bird flu.
“It gave very strong protection,” Van Reeth said. None of the pigs that had been previously infected with H1N1 showed signs of disease from H5N1 infection, whereas every one of the control pigs did.
“We would expect to see the same results in humans,” said Van Reeth. “The pig model of influenza is very reliable, it’s the best we have.”
Better understanding of the immune responses seen in infected pigs could help scientists design vaccines that respond to more than one strain of the flu virus.
Isn’t that like saying heart attacks prevent cancer.
micro ping
Just get both flus and you’re fully protected from getting them...oh wait.
Wish I knew what it was we had Christmas ‘92. It’s bad when you can remember the nausea all these years later.
I wonder if the H1N1 vaccine would provide any protection from H5N1.
If only they were more concerned with not spreading AIDS via the homosexual community. How many people died from AIDS last year? How many passed it on!! And I'm supposed to agree with their life style or I'll get convicted of a hate crime??
So...don’t get your immunization, get the swine flu it’s good for you?
No. It's saying prior infection with H1N1 confers at least some, if not complete, immunity to subsequent infection with H5N1.
They really want us to take that shot.
Also, Keep up with other H1N1 update stories on this thread: H1N1 flu victim collapsed on way to hospital [Latest H1N1 updates downthread] thanks to DvdMom and others.
More like cow pox prevents small pox.
A difference in degree.
Depends what part of the virus was used to create the vaccine.
It would have to be the “N1” portion.
Swine Flu Parties, anyone?
After all, H1N1 is part bird flu....
Sure....Since the H1N1 is a componet of H5N1 the nuramic acid portion/nuramindase would form a partial immunoglobin match. Partial immunity is better than no immunity at all which may cause one to have the flu but a significantly lesser virulence to the host.
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