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Swine Flu Can Burrow Deep Into Lungs: Docs

H1N1 can infect cells where seasonal flu can't: study

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2009 4:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – Swine flu can worm its way deeper into the body than seasonal flu, a dangerous capability that could result in increased fatalities if the virus mutates, AFP reports. Seasonal influenza is able to bind only to the tissues in the nose, throat, and upper airway—that’s why it causes runny noses and scratchy throats. But in a new study, the (A)H1N1 subtype of the flu was able to implant itself in tissues in the lungs.

The bonds swine flu forms with receptors in lung cells are weaker than those in tissues battered by traditional flu—but natural selection could change that, the study's authors warn. "If the flu virus mutates in the future, it may attach to the receptors deep inside the lungs more strongly, and this could mean that more people would experience severe symptoms," said the lead researcher.

Navy Doctor Captain Manuel Velasco displays a patient's lung x-ray against a light box at the Naval hospital in Mexico City, Sunday, May 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

Board certified family nurse practitioner Marguerite Clohisy prepares a Fluzone seasonal flu vaccination for a patient at a CVS pharmacy MinuteClinic in Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

riffran

Sep 11, 2009 8:18 AM CDT

The flu is hitting in the summer. very unseasonal, be carefull folks because the usual winter flu is on it's way....I hope all of "Yall" stay healthy...even some of the more mouthy lefties...lol..it's .too much fun bickering with them...lol

zackmasson

Sep 11, 2009 4:12 AM CDT

It feels like a scam to offload and profit off all that awe-full almost expired theraflue shit that doesn't even work.

grassisntgreener

Sep 11, 2009 3:39 AM CDT

"IF the flu virus mutates in the FUTURE",well that could apply to any virus IF it MUTATES ,it could ,(and would),be different than it is now.ok ,of course.

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Swine Flu Can Burrow Deep Into Lungs: Docs

H1N1 can infect cells where seasonal flu can't: study

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

public health • virus • cell • influenza • swine flu • H1N1 virus • lungs

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More Newser Stories

56 Dead as Swine Flu Resurfaces in Egypt

Officials had taken measures to stop spread

WHO Exaggerated Swine Flu Pandemic: EU Reports

Watchdogs accuse WHO of colluding with drugmakers

Snopes Founders: People Are Suckers

Please, stop falling for that Nigerian scam

US May Toss 75M Doses of Swine Flu Vaccine

Unused shots are near expiration date

Swine Flu Killed 17K Americans: CDC

Total lower than usual, but victims skew younger

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Swine Flu Can Burrow Deep Into Lungs: Docs

H1N1 can infect cells where seasonal flu can't: study

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

public health • virus • cell • influenza • swine flu • H1N1 virus • lungs

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

56 Dead as Swine Flu Resurfaces in Egypt

Officials had taken measures to stop spread

WHO Exaggerated Swine Flu Pandemic: EU Reports

Watchdogs accuse WHO of colluding with drugmakers

Snopes Founders: People Are Suckers

Please, stop falling for that Nigerian scam

US May Toss 75M Doses of Swine Flu Vaccine

Unused shots are near expiration date

Swine Flu Killed 17K Americans: CDC

Total lower than usual, but victims skew younger

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?