Gene mutations can cause rare severe flu

A study of a French girl and her parents showed that a genetic mutation that was previously unknown and would destroy the body's immune system could trigger a rare but potentially life-threatening child's flu.

Gene mutations can cause rare severe flu

According to a survey published in the American Journal of Science, genetic mutations may be the root cause of severe flu in children. Most people get cured after a week with the flu, but the flu can become a very serious disease, even in some rare cases, which is fatal, and the results are confusing for doctors.

The Human Infectious Disease Genetics Laboratory, a researcher at the United States-French International Joint Laboratory, puts forward the hypothesis that serious flu in healthy children may be the result of genetic errors. To test this hypothesis, in January 2011, they were given a genome-wide determination of a seven-year-old child who was infected with severe flu at the age of two and a half after obtaining the consent of the child intensive care unit.

What is the cause of the flu? The genomic product of the flu virus

Abstract: Influenza virus belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae family. It is an enveloped RNA virus with a spherical shape of 80-100 nm in diameter or a filament of thousands of nanometers.

What is the cause of the flu? The genomic product of the flu virus

Cause of influenza

The influenza virus belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae family and is an enveloped RNA virus. Its appearance is spherical with a diameter of 80-100 nm or a filament of thousands of nanometers. The virus consists of the envelope and the nucleocapsid .

The components of the envelope include membrane proteins (M1, M2), bilayer lipid membranes, and glycoprotein protrusions. The glycoprotein neurites contain both hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), both of which are antigenic and subtype specific. The nucleocapsid is a thin spiral filament, spirally symmetric, 9 to 15 nm in diameter, including nuclear protein (NP), three polymerase proteins (PB-1, PB-2, PA) and viral RNA; the viral genome is single-stranded Negative strand RNA.

Classification and nomenclature of influenza virus According to the different antigenicity of viral nuclear protein (NP) and membrane protein (MP), the influenza virus is divided into three types: A, B, and C; according to the difference of HA and NA antigens, the same type of virus is divided into two types. Several subtypes. Subtype division is based on genetic analysis and agar diffusion double diffusion. The principles of influenza virus nomenclature published by the World Health Organization in 1980 are as follows: type/host/separation site/segregation date/viral strain number (hemagglutinin subtype and neuraminidase subtype). For example, A/equine/Singapore/3/52 (H7/N3), meaning: influenza A virus/host is horse/separated in Singapore/time is March 1952/subtype is H7N3. Up to now, there have been 15 subtypes of hemagglutinin (H1~15), and 9 subtypes (N1~9) of neuraminidase. The main ones related to humans are A1 (H1N1), A. 2 (H2N2), A3 (H3N2) and Type B.

Do you get the flu? The answer may be in your genome

From the end of last year to March and April this year, the flu pandemic around the world, and even many people have died. Have you ever worried that you will be infected with this terrible virus? According to Genomic Medicine, there is now a way to predict if you are susceptible to the flu.

Do you get the flu? The answer may be in your genome

In this study, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found a sign in human blood that predicts whether or not they will be infected with the flu virus. Specifically, the researchers found that people infected with influenza had lower levels of natural killer cells (NK cells) in their immune cells. If the levels of these cells in the blood are above a certain threshold, people will not get the flu.

NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that are essential for the innate immune system and function similarly to cytotoxic T cells in adaptive immune responses in vertebrates. NK cells provide a rapid response to virus-infected cells, function about 3 days after infection, and respond to tumor formation. Typically, immune cells detect the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) present on the surface of infected cells, triggering the release of cytokines, causing lysis or apoptosis. However, NK cells are unique in that they are able to recognize stress cells without antibodies and MHC, allowing for a faster immune response.

Is the flu shot effective?

Why is the flu season so bad this year?

Is the flu shot effective?

Different influenza strains are prevalent each year. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year, the H1N1 flu is particularly prevalent. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in most H3-based years, the country often finds more serious cases of influenza, especially in young children and the elderly, as well as reduced vaccine efficacy, leading to more total infections and more. Hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H3 virus is also after the severe flu season in 2014-2015 and 2012-2013. A separate influenza virus H1N1 virus has also appeared in some parts of the country, increasing the number of viruses. The CDC sounds like a warning of a fatal flu epidemic; they call for an emergency meeting because the epidemic spreads

How widespread is the flu this year?

Since the influenza season monitoring began on October 1, approximately 60,000 samples have been tested positive for influenza in clinical or public laboratories. The current hospitalization rate is 22.7 per 100,000 US residents. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that the 2017-2018 flu epidemic is an epidemic, but points out that it meets this standard technically almost every year. Jenigan said at the briefing: "We are at the peak now, and we may see it below the baseline in a few months. "So, yes, we are definitely popular, but every year in the US and the Northern Hemisphere The flu has occurred. ”

If you decide to get a flu shot, be sure to know these points.

In the flu season, flu vaccination is an effective measure to prevent flu. The elderly with basic diseases and children with relatively weak resistance are the key vaccinators. The best time to get a flu shot is before the start of the annual flu season. After one week of flu vaccination, antibodies can be produced. After two weeks, the immune antibody reaches the highest level and is generally protected for one year.

If you decide to get a flu shot, be sure to know these points.

You have to understand these misunderstandings:

1. Misunderstanding: last year's flu vaccine can still be played this year

Positive solution: flu vaccines vary from year to year

Unlike the common cold, the flu is an acute respiratory infection caused by a highly susceptible influenza virus. It can be divided into three types: A, B, and C. Each type is subtyped. In fact, basically the beginning of the annual analysis of the flu virus began to produce vaccines, so that the annual flu vaccine is changing.

2. Misunderstanding: Everyone is suitable for flu vaccine

Positive solution: pregnant women and severe allergies should be cautious

Not everyone is suitable for flu vaccination, such as people who are allergic to eggs and any kind of vaccine components and those with severe chronic diseases can not be vaccinated; fever, acute infection, acute chronic diseases should be postponed vaccination; pregnant women and severe allergies Physical fitness should be carefully selected for vaccination.

3. Misunderstanding: no cold after flu shot

Positive solution: still cause colds caused by bacteria, etc.

Health care workers said that vaccination against the flu does not mean that they will not catch a cold. The flu vaccine is only for the flu. It only produces antibodies against the flu virus, but it does not prevent or resist the cold caused by bacteria, other viruses or mycoplasma. ability. Therefore, some people have caught a flu vaccine and have caught a cold. They think that the vaccine has no effect, but it is not.

How to prevent flu from pregnant women should pay more attention to these ten points

How do pregnant women prevent flu?

How to prevent flu from pregnant women should pay more attention to these ten points

Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. The unique immune tolerance during pregnancy makes pregnant women less resistant to disease than the general population and is susceptible to influenza. Pregnant women with flu have a higher incidence of complications than the general population. Due to limited medication during pregnancy, the flu can sometimes not be controlled in time.


The measures for pregnant women to prevent influenza are as follows:

1. Pregnant women should try to avoid crowded, prosperous and crowded public places. On the one hand, the air in these places is not fresh and affects the oxygen supply of the fetus. On the other hand, the density of pathogenic microorganisms in public places is much higher than other areas, especially in the flu. During the prevailing period, and the pregnant women's resistance is poor, it is easy to spread the disease.

2. Wear a mask when going out, usually use a light salt water to gargle, indoors should pay attention to air circulation, keep clean, such as patients with influenza around the room should be given indoor air disinfection.

3. Life is regular, not too tired, should ensure that sleep is about 10 hours a day, diet diversification, not partial eclipse, try to do a small amount of meals.

4. Enhance physical exercise, do more outdoor activities, more sun, enhance their disease resistance.

5. Air conditioning ventilation, can not replace the window, should allow fresh air to enter the room continuously, should be ventilated after nap and before going to bed. In addition, it is necessary to open the window to change the air after the sun comes out. If the sun has not come out to open the window for ventilation, the outdoor carbon dioxide concentration is higher, which is not good for pregnant women. If the air pollution index is large, it is not conducive to ventilation and ventilation, and the air freshener can be used.

6. When the expectant mother is cold, or feels like a cold, drink a bowl of hot brown sugar ginger water, and then sleep beautifully. Raw garlic, raw onions, medicine, raw garlic, raw onions are a good way to prevent colds. Allicin capsules are extracted from garlic. Garlic not only has the effect of preventing colds, but also inhibits intestinal pathogens.

7. Every morning after getting up and washing, use salt water to gargle, and then drink half a cup of boiled water, not only can prevent colds, but also good for the health of the gums, because the gums during pregnancy are congested, susceptible to gingivitis.

8. Wash your face with cold water in the morning to enhance your ability to resist colds. Wash your face with warm water at night to avoid drowsiness due to cold stimulation.

9. The winter air humidity is low, especially in the north, indoor heating with more heating, the air is very dry, dry air is conducive to the accumulation of virus in the respiratory tract. A humidifier can be used to maintain a suitable humidity in the room.


Pregnant women should also pay attention to diet when preventing influenza

1. Eat more zinc-containing food

In the absence of zinc, the respiratory defense function is reduced. Pregnant women need to consume more zinc-containing foods than usual. Seafoods such as seafood, lean meat, peanuts, sunflower seeds and beans are rich in zinc.

2. Eat more foods containing vitamin C

Vitamin C is a scavenger for harmful substances in the body, and it also has the function of improving ciliary movement and defense of the respiratory tract. It is recommended to eat more foods rich in vitamin C or vitamin C tablets, such as tomatoes, cauliflower, green peppers, citrus, strawberries, kiwi, watermelon, grapes and so on. Vitamin C will be lost in a large amount during heating, and care should be taken when cooking.

The diarrhea may actually be the flu

Gastrointestinal influenza

According to the clinical manifestations and severity of influenza, influenza is mainly divided into: typical influenza, mild influenza, pneumonia-type influenza, gastrointestinal influenza, poisoned influenza, and neurological influenza. The vast majority of patients present with typical flu, the main symptoms are high fever, headache, body pain, fatigue, sore throat and cough. These manifestations are mainly symptoms of systemic poisoning caused by high fever of respiratory symptoms.

The diarrhea may actually be the flu

Recently, the flu has been strong, and the number of influenza patients has increased dramatically in hospital outpatient clinics. Some patients with influenza virus, fever and respiratory symptoms are not obvious, and there are more obvious gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc. This is the gastrointestinal flu. Gastrointestinal influenza occurs mostly in the elderly and children with weaker digestive tract function.

The national influenza outbreak, what is the flu?

The flu is a common seasonal infectious disease and has received particular attention this winter. Many people feel that the number of people getting the flu is more than in previous years. Then the flu is a matter of fact. What is the prevalence of the flu? Is it necessary to take medicine if you have a cold? How should we scientifically prevent and treat the flu?

The national influenza outbreak, what is the flu?

Flu and cold
The flu, also known as influenza, is an acute respiratory infection caused by the flu virus. The common cold is a common respiratory disease caused by a variety of viruses, of which 30%-50% are caused by a certain type of serotype of rhinovirus. Whether the flu or the common cold is a type of cold, a cold is a self-healing disease.

How to tell the flu and the cold?

The difference between flu and cold
Many parents have difficulty distinguishing whether the baby is suffering from a flu or a cold. Although both flu and cold are caused by viral infections, there is still a big difference between the two.

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Common cold

A cold is a cold we often say, also known as a cold. The virus is spread by airborne droplets, and the nasal cavity is the primary target of attack, but the general impact on humans is limited to the respiratory system. In general, each person has a cold several times a year, but there are no particularly prominent conditions. Under normal circumstances, a person is caught in a cold, too tired, after the rain, due to decreased immunity and susceptible to a cold. Sneezing, coughing, and stuffy nose are the main symptoms of a cold. In severe cases, nasal congestion and headaches may occur. Most are accompanied by a fever, but generally low fever, rarely high fever. These conditions are milder than the flu and generally do not endanger life.