Swine flu alert
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stephen
- Dutch Bantam Cockerel
- Posts: 6783
- Joined: 13 Apr 2005, 18:59
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Swine flu alert
I was listening to a BBC science podcast on the plane, and they were saying that one of the odd things about this outbreak is how it affects young people more than the elderly. They now think they know why. Those who are about 40 or older were exposed to the 1960s major flu outbreak (67?), and it seems that this version the H1N1 virus is close enough to that that they still have antibodies to fight it. Those of us born in the 70s or later don't, and so we're more likely to pick up the virus.
Stephen
Re: Swine flu alert
That's really interesting Stephen. Does that mean if you're over 40 but didn't get that flu in the 60's you will still have an immunity? 
Happy in Hampshire!
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"A nation can survive its fools, but it cannot survive treason from within." - Cicero
"If your hate could be turned into electricity, it would light up the whole world" - Nikola Tesla
"Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts" - Nikki Giovanni
''The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind.'' - Albert Schweitzer
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." - George Washington
"A nation can survive its fools, but it cannot survive treason from within." - Cicero
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stephen
- Dutch Bantam Cockerel
- Posts: 6783
- Joined: 13 Apr 2005, 18:59
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Swine flu alert
It seems to be the case that those "exposed" in the 1960s are protected. The program may still be on the BBC website. According to my iPod it was "The Material World" on 30th April. It should be at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jzww6
Stephen