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JANUARY 19, 2013
Science Saturday - Achoo

Photo Credit: Illustrator: Dan Higgins, CDC

This year is a particularly bad year for the flu.  It is a viral infection so antibiotics don't cure the flu.  Each year scientists around the world try to predict what type of flu will be most prevalent.  The flu is a trick bug to track down, it thrives on mutation and changes it's genetic structure often.  The flu viruses fall into the designation orthomyxoviruses,  (Impress your sick friends by sending them a "I hope you recover soon from your orthomyxovirus" card.) 

The flu virus contains RNA (ribonucleic acid) that uses your body's healthy cells as it's breeding ground.  The virus has two different kinds of spikes all around the exterior of the cell.  The hemagglutinin spike allows it to pierce your nice healthy cells for the virus particle to enter for replication.  The neuraminidase spike is what the newly replicated flu virus uses to escape your host cell. 

Wash your hands often and try to avoid other sick people!  A word of advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC): "Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to prevent the spread of germs." 

Want to know more?  Check out our online database Science in Context or the CDC website for information on the current flu season.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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