How The Flu Mutates

In order to understand how the flu mutates one must be familiar with what it is that causes the flu virus and it's inherent

symptoms, and how those organisms differ from one another. The flu, or Influenza, belongs to the 'RNA' family of viruses.

There are three main types of these viruses; Influenza A, which affects wild aquatic life, Influenza B, which affects humans

and Influenza C which affects humans, dogs, pigs and birds. In humans, symptoms chills, fever, congestion, sore throat,

muscle aches, severe headaches, coughing, fatigue, and general discomfort. It may also cause nausea and vomiting, although

those symptoms are more common in gastroenteritis.

Symptoms of the flu that cause considerable concern are coughing and sneezing related to congestion, as these tend to create

aerosols containing the virus which migrate through the air infecting others. This is how the flu spreads globally throughout

the hemispheres in a never ending 'flu season'. As the world has shrunk with the rise of aviation, the virus, using humans as

the host, can travel around the globe in less than a day. Indeed, the claustrophobic cigar tube of a Boeing economy section

on a transatlantic flight is a petri dish for influenza to spread. Although this is the' normal' transmission method employed

by the flu virus, it is not the only way one can become infected. Contact with contaminated bird dropping, mucus, or touching

contaminated surfaces can all transmit the disease. This is primarily how the bird or swine flu jumps from one species to

another, and also within that specie as a whole. Frequent hand washing and use of disinfectants can render the virus harmless

and slow the spread of infection among the general population.

Not only do these cross species mutations impact humans but they can also wipe out domestic poultry, a severe problem

currently affecting China's farmers. Chickens and Turkeys succumb to the virus very easily, particularly when housed in

less-than-hygenic conditions. In such instances, once can almost physically see the virus as it's moves from bird to bird,

decimating the coup. The majority of mutations are due to a lack of RNA proofreading enzymes and the natural rate of error in

self creation. Additionally in those cases where two strains infect the same cell chunks of RNA can swap from one strain to

another due to how the RNA is contained inside the viral case. The typical symptoms of the flu release newly mature viruses

back into the environment and the cycle begins again.

Influenza is typically a seasonal with winter epidemics infecting 3-5 million people every year in the respective hemisphere.

The flu as a global statistic is responsible for several hundred thousand deaths each year, usually in humans who are older,

have weak immunity or children. Robust adults who have been inoculated, but contract the virus can usually recover with rest.

Every so often, the flu virus mutates, and this new mutation produces a strain that the human immune system fails to

recognise. This leads to mass-outbreaks because previous flu vaccines are not efficient at arming the body against the virus.

Typically, these pandemic strains are caused by an existing flu strain from a bird or another species crosses over to humans.

While there are vaccines against influenza, each year the World Health Organisation must attempt to counter the evolution of

the virus with an appropriate vaccine. In early 2013, the US experienced it's worst flu season in half a decade and as a

result vaccine production from pharmaceutical companies is under significant duress to meet the demand as the southern

hemisphere enters it's flu season in May. What is interesting is that a third of those who actually contract the flu each

year simply spread it among the population because they do not show symptoms at all.

The Flu is responsible for the deaths of over 200,000 people every year world wide. Education and understanding is the best

way to protect yourself against it, as 2013 is one of the most sever strains in recent memory. If you are showing any flu

symptoms, consult your GP immediately.

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