People who are infected with swine flu and survive appear to remain with a "superpowered" immune system capable of fighting off just about any other strain of influenza virus. Scientists believe that studying this incredible phenomenon may help lead to a "universal" flue vaccine that protects a person from the flu for life!
Researchers say that the H1N1 swine flu virus appears to cause the human immune system to produce a huge variety of antibodies beyond just the ones that specifically target the H1N1 strain. Every swine flu infection causes a giant burst of immunological activity. This appears to trigger a "blanket" response where the body tries to produce antibodies for every possible type of influenza in nature.
This immune response is very unique and is far beyond what happens during a normal flu infection or after a typical seasonal flu vaccine is given. According to researchers, just 5 of the antibodies created during a swine flu infection are enough to provide protection from ALL seasonal flu types, the dangerous bird flu variation H5N1, and even the ultra-deadly Spanish flu strain that killed over 50 million people in 1918!
Scientists say that don't yet know if the H1N1 flu vaccine provides the same level of protection. But there is a good chance it provides at least some of the benefits. According to virus expert Dr. Sarah Gilbert from Oxford University:
"Many scientists are working to develop a vaccine that would protect against the many strains of flu virus. This work gives us more confidence that it will be possible to generate a universal flu vaccine. It will take at least five years before anything like this could be widely available."
No more flu ever again? Sounds good to us! :D
Learn some mo': Swine flu gives its survivors supercharged immunity
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