Is No News Good News?
This week we read from "White Coat Notes," a medical newsletter from the Boston area, an explanation of how viruses work, along with some encouragement that they are coming closer to finding the back door solution to viral infections in humans. Even with reports of three newly infected people with H5N1 this past week in China, Egypt, and Vietnam, there is also a certain fatigue that sets in. Oh, more flu victims? Just three? Who won the game last night?
We're not going to hear news of the virus's slow and steady progress until it becomes dramatic enough to sell. "If it bleeds, it leads," is an old media expression that discounts the simmering and festering process that builds to combustion. It demonstrates why we're not hearing cries of alarm. We're just tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop, especially in these times. Unfortunately, by the time it's large enough to sell newspapers, it's too late to get ready. Fortunately, as soon as our preparations are in place then we can safely afford the luxury of a relaxed attitude, put the issue of avian flu on the shelf with the store of supplies, and wait for the time it will be necessary to activate it.
That's why we're interested in the research that shows how the virus is being challenged medically. A virus, as you may know, in size proportional to a human being, is on the same scale as a single human being to the entire globe. It's amazing to think how a virus, so inconsequential in size, can achieve mastery over any one of us, and perhaps even huge numbers of us, if history is any indication.
Doctors are achieving an understanding of what is common to all viruses in the hope that they can find a one-antidote-fits-all-viruses solution. If it were possible to attack the fundamental structure of a virus, it would eliminate the need for a new vaccine each year that responds to the mutations the virus has achieved. Current vaccines for flu become ineffective, and we need a new and improved injection each year. Viruses become experienced. They travel around the world and change quickly (mutate) to adjust to new conditions. The virus that causes flu this year is slightly changed by the time it circles around to re-infect, and the body that was ill with it last year does not recognize it as the same virus, and so has no immunity. Since the body has not constructed an immunity to this "new" exposure, we require another vaccine. An anti-viral that would target the basic construct of the virus would be the solution to all the concerns over avian flu, and its implications for mankind.
As well as neutralizing the virus it may make it possible to construct a single dose vaccine that would protect humans from viruses throughout their lifetime.
The flu vaccines we receive now are not consistently effective from year to year. This is because they are prepared for what they expect the virus to look like after it mutates, which is basically a very educated guess. Some years the guess isn't as accurate as others, and some years the anti-viral preparation isn't as effective as anticipated. By better understanding how all viruses work researchers can focus on a better target for attack.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The good news now is that researchers have discovered one pocket of the virus that appears to stay the same, not mutate, even in multiple flu strains. This is a remarkable achievement when we remind ourselves again of the size of the enemy. This is very encouraging news because it means that if viruses do indeed all share the same characteristic, consistently, that provides an area for target.
Now, before you think we have a cure nearly ready, and before those of you who have avoided making pandemic flu preparations begin to say, "I told you so!", this medical intervention is years off yet. It is however the first time the possibility of a universal vaccine for influenza viruses appears possible. Just "possible," for now. it would have to be a vaccine that targets the part of the virus that does not mutate. "That is not a trivial task. That is a major challenge," says Dr. Sharon Frey, a vaccine researcher at St. Louise University.
Following the discovery a vaccine has been developed that is currently being tested favorably in mice. Should that prove effective and consistent two new levels of testing are required once the antibody-based medications become perfected. The test medication at this point has shown to protect mice against multiple flu strains. This is exactly the result we've been looking for. Significant rounds of testing in other animals will need to be as successful before the drug could be ready for human trials.
Following that there would need to be patent applications and negotiations with drug companies to produce it, and make it available in quantity. Once that is achieved there would need to be policies and procedures developed around preventing overuse that might give a super-virus a chance to outwit this treatment as well. A growing number of flu strains are becoming resistant to the main drug now available, Tamiflu.
The new medicine would likely be far more expensive that current flu drugs, and may initially be given only to front-line workers, doctors, nurses, and patients whose disease-fighting capacity is already compromised.
And so the race is on. In the meantime...
This is WEEK #9 of the Preparation Challenge. It covers alternatives to energy: light (flashlights, lanterns, batteries, emergency candles, matches, lighter) heat (firewood, non-electric heaters, propane or kerosene - follow manufacturer's instructions for safety very carefully), cooking (barbecue grill, portable propane cook stove, fuel, non-electric can opener), and laundry (large plastic paid with lid, such as a dog-food pail, with a hole but in the lid large enough for the handle of a toilet plunger. The plunger becomes the agitator in the bucket). Don't forget clothesline and clothespins.
Stay well. Take care.
© 2009, Pitsel and Associates Ltd.
Distribution and forwarding is encouraged for no-charge, non-profit use only, and with all attribution, notices and contact information intact.
If this idea has helped you, please feel free to pass this e-letter on!
Copyright © Pitsel & Associates Ltd.. All rights reserved.
|
|
