Health
Researchers suggest that people who have had swine flu now have strong immunity to fight influenza viruses. Once H1N1 is defeated, the body produces antibodies that can kill many other influenza viruses, as reported in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Doctors hope to use this fact to develop a vaccine against all types of influenza. In addition, new vaccines will be able to replace modern drugs.
This vaccine is the Holy Grail for scientists studying influenza problems. Many researchers are already testing different types of vaccines to stop the spread of the disease and plan to release a large number of vaccines for the new seasonal epidemic.
Dr Patrick Wilson, who conducted the latest research, said that the H1N1 swine flu virus, which affected about 60 million people last year, provided scientists have a unique opportunity to develop a new vaccine. “It will now be possible to invent a vaccine that can give immunity from all types of influenza. It was unexpected that this most controversial type of flu, compared to others, provides such opportunities.”
After examining 9 patients who contracted swine flu during the epidemic, scientists found that the infection was a signal for the formation of large amounts of antibodies that were not abundant are noticeable after normal seasonal flu or vaccination.
Five antibodies that have been identified by scientists can cope with all types of influenza known in recent decades, as well as Spanish flu, which killed 50 million people in 1918, and potentially dead H5N1 avian influenza.
Next, scientists plan to test the immune system reactions of people who were vaccinated against last year's swine flu but did not get sick, and see if they have the same immunity compared to with those who were ill.
Dr Sarah Gilbert, a virus expert at Oxford University, is testing her own version of the universal flu vaccine. She said: “Many scientists are working to develop a vaccine that would protect against many types of influenza. This work gives us more confidence that it is possible to create a universal vaccine. However, it will likely take many years to complete all the necessary tests and complete the studies. It takes at least 5 years for the vaccine to be available.”
According to the UK Health Protection Agency, the flu killed 50 people this winter, including 45 from swine flu.