Swine Flu Virus AdhesionThe 2009 pandemic swine flu virus caused different symptoms and affected different risk groups compared to seasonal flu strains. One of the reasons may be the receptor cells where this virus attaches. The seasonal influenza viruses attach to receptor cells in the upper respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. A new study has shown that the 2009 H1N1 strain can attach to lower respiratory membranes, something that our regular seasonal strains cannot do. Using a carbohydrate microarray (a glass surface with different receptor cells), researchers added viruses and recorded the number of receptor cells that showed attached viruses. Seasonal strains only attached to alpha 2-6 upper respiratory receptors while the 2009 pandemic strain could attach strongly to alpha 2-6 and weakly to alpha 2-3 lower respiratory receptors (Childs, Receptor-binding specificity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus determined by carbohydrate microarray, Nature Biotechnology, September 2009). Infections in the lower respiratory system can be much more serious and difficult to treat. Once viruses have have attached to those receptors and infected those cells, they replicate and spread easily. People with symptoms of swine flu infections should consult their health care provider for treatment.
Related articles Flu Prevention | Cold Flu Viruses and Green Tea | Green Tea and Cholera | Green Tea and Salmonella | Salmonella Poisoning In Your Food | HIV Prevention and Green Tea Research | Green Tea And Tuberculosis | MRSA And Superbugs
This page was last updated by Sharon Jones on January 21, 2012. Return from Swine Flu Virus to Green Tea Health News Home
|
Tearoom Boosters
Have you had a wonderful experience at a local tearoom, tea house, inn, or hotel for a special afternoon tea or even just a great cup of refreshing green tea?
You can give their business a boost by telling the world what makes their afternoon teas memorable here.
Just click on your country, province, or state and complete the form there.
If your country is not listed yet, you can use the form on the World Tearooms page, and we’ll hurry up to make sure your country is represented for The Best Afternoon Tea.
More Tea And Goodies
Subscribe to the free e-zine, Green Tea Health News for new recipes, interesting products, hot deals, and more.Subscribe now and don't miss a single issue.