Swine Flu Virus Not So New, Study Finds Link To 1918 Strain

Researchers have recently discovered that the 2009 version of H1N1 Swine Flu is very similar to the pandemic strain that circulated the globe in 1918. This information is very helpful to scientists in creating vaccines as well as studying the virus itself.

Scientists have learned that the 1918 version of the flu reacted much the same way to the 2009 vaccine as the 2009 version of the virus. This was very surprising since viruses, that continually mutate, often do not react the same way when introduced to a vaccine or medication.

They have also discovered in their research how this virus actually mutates. The change in the structure of the virus is what allows the virus to return each flu season. Scientists now know how H1N1 changes and can combat the problem.

This research has also led the scientists to believe that the similarities of these two strains are what protected the elderly. Like most viruses, the body will build immunity to the virus as antibodies build within their systems. They now believe that the elderly have more antibodies than the younger generation to this strain and that is why they were less affected.

This is a very important step in combating the virus and suppressing further outbreaks. While the 2009 pandemic was severe, the 1918 pandemic of the same influenza is estimated to have killed nearly 100 million people world wide.