Even though we will never know for sure, it is estimated that approximately 50 million people died in the 1918 influenza pandemic -- more than died in World War One -- but the reason this virus was so deadly has remained elusive. However, scientists recently discovered that this particular strain of influenza was so lethal because it triggered an uncontrolled immune response in its victims. This hyperstimulated immune system actively attacked the victim's lungs, causing serious damage followed by death within a few days.
"Instead of protecting the individuals that were infected with the high pathogenic virus, the immune response is actually contributing to the lethality of the virus," said Professor Michael Katze, of the University of Washington in Seattle.
Unlike other flu viruses that mainly infect the elderly and children, the influenza pandemic of 1918 attacked young adults and people with healthy immune responses.
"The H5N1 virus can also cause very serious disease and it appears to do this in a way that is quite similar to the 1918 virus," said Darwyn Kobasa of the Public Health Agency of Canada and lead author of the study.
"A greater understanding of the viruses that caused past pandemics will help us predict what we might expect and how to plan and use our knowledge and resources to reduce the impact of a new pandemic," he added.
Cited story.
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Hmm. A thought - could an infection of this nature be fought by treating the patient with steroids or immunosuppressants?
Here's the opposite thought...if they can figure out what it is that the virus does to stimulate the immune system, maybe it could be used in a controlled way to combat the effects of HIV...a virus providing a defense against the effects of another virus..how ironic.
Clapping
Chardyspal