2006-06-26 17:35:08 · 4 answers · asked by Jsilver21 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Actually, influenza is a mutagenic virus; H5N1 is a specific mutation. The "H" and "N" are basically positions on a genetic sequence, the 5 and the 1 identify the placement. It's really complicated.
But, basically, no - definitely not a good thing. It makes it terribly hard to treat and come up with vaccines for it, it can make it much more virulent, and can cause all sorts of problems.
If you want to know more, I'd check out John Barry's The Great Influenza. (Also reccomended to whomever said it was just a scare tactic above.)
2006-06-28 08:44:43 · answer #1 · answered by Madison S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, considering it has mutated to the point of becoming very lethal and highly infective, thereby posing a potential to become the pandemic some believe it could. There have already been 228 cases reported to WHO since 2003, 130 of which resulted in death; far from pandemic, I know, but who's to say that couldn't change. So no - it's not a good thing.
2006-06-27 06:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by Endo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All viruses have a tendency to mutate. Research medical research on influenza viruses has shown that the nutritional status of the HOST determines whether or not the virus mutates into a more virulent form. Selenium deficiency and/or Zinc deficiency (both are common) of the host/infected person, actually induces the mutation of influenza viruses to become more virulent.
So, follow mom's advice and eat your vegetables!
2006-06-26 17:46:28 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good!! of course not. if it mutated, it may become transmissible among humans. and no need to tell ya how dangerous that can be.
2006-06-26 22:56:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋