The Flu Virus Paralyzes the Immune System
Scientist May Have Found the Cause for the Flu Virus Mortality
May 5, 2009
With the popularity of the Swine Flu giving the virus a greater exposure, scientists have been studying the flu virus more intensely trying to understand its mechanics. Scientists at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia have made advances in studying the methods and actions of the deadly Influenza A virus commonly known as the flu virus.
In the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, scientists discovered that viruses actually inhibited the immune system leaving it ultimately paralyzed and unable to fight off microbes. Influenza, like any other parasitic virus, invades the genetic workings of the DNA mechanics and causes the body’s immune systems to be susceptible to other microbes, namely, bacterial invasions. One of the main side effects of viral invasion from Influenza and forms of the flu is the development of pneumonia, which can be deadly especially in the elderly, immunocompromised patients, and children.
The Difference Between Influenza A and other Flu Variants
Even with the increased understanding of the Influenza virus including variants of the flu, scientists still do not clearly understand how the flu virus is so detrimental to human cells to the point of complete destruction and ultimately death. The major concern for most scientists is that some patients merely get a cough and sinusitis with Influenza A and other versions of the flu while some patients get tragic symptoms that compromise the health and cause major side effects that lead to death.
Cytokines – the Sight of Immunity from the Influenza A Virus
The scientists at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are still studying and attempting to understand the difference between patients. Their main development is that Influenza A and other flu variants cause different levels of cytokines to be released in the body in patients with varying traumatic symptoms. Patients who developed severe side effects from the swine flu, including those who developed severe symptoms from the Influenza A virus, have an increased level of cytokine production. Cytokine production is a main contributor for severe allergies and other symptoms of disease. They are a component in the immune system that draws immune cells to the sight of invasion to help fight off disease. Unfortunately, these Influenza A and flu virus immune cells also bring an elaborate form of hypersensitivity that causes severe symptoms that can lead to death in some patients.
Treatment for the Flu Virus
Just like any other form of viral infection, the use of supportive methods is the best way to fight off the flu. The most advantageous methods of fighting the Influenza A and flu virus is with plenty of liquids keeping the body hydrated. It’s important to keep the body full of nutrients when flu virus invaders threaten health and mortality.
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