Viruses are one of humanity's oldest foes. We are accustomed to knowing when the next outbreak is going to happen. We know when "Flu Season" is. We know when to be vaccinated, when to see a doctor, when to rest and call in sick to work. However what we don't know is when the next "killer outbreak" will occur. Viruses are known for their adaptability and ability to mutate and obtain DNA from their hosts and other viruses to create a stronger pathogen. What we are now seeing in the modern age is the virus' ability to mutate past the point of human intervention. It isn't uncommon to find a stain of medication resistant viruses. Sadly this is becoming a commonality. It isn't just because of vaccinations, it is also due in part to a change of lifestyle. We are more health conscious than have ever been. We bleach our children's toys, our dishes, our pet's dishes...I don't think I've seen a home that doesn't have Lysol (known to kill up to 99.99% of viruses and bacteria). However by living in this sort of state we have given rise to newly mutated, resistant viruses that are stronger than what we have faced before. We have allowed ourselves to be controlled by fear of the viruses. This is fulled in part by the ignorance of the general public and the lack of information given by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the World Health Organization. Many viruses that we know today have mutated substantially into different strains. Rabies has recently been found to have mutated into a "general contact" virus. There no longer needs to be a bite to transmit this new form of the virus, all it takes is a lick or a nuzzle, and you may be infected. If this can happen to rabies, it can happen to Avian Flu, Hantavirus, Hendra virus, Ebola virus, H1N1 and other Zoonosis diseases. (These are diseases transmitted from animal to humans.) 
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Mutation: A Virus' Defenses Against Human Intervention
Viruses are one of humanity's oldest foes. We are accustomed to knowing when the next outbreak is going to happen. We know when "Flu Season" is. We know when to be vaccinated, when to see a doctor, when to rest and call in sick to work. However what we don't know is when the next "killer outbreak" will occur. Viruses are known for their adaptability and ability to mutate and obtain DNA from their hosts and other viruses to create a stronger pathogen. What we are now seeing in the modern age is the virus' ability to mutate past the point of human intervention. It isn't uncommon to find a stain of medication resistant viruses. Sadly this is becoming a commonality. It isn't just because of vaccinations, it is also due in part to a change of lifestyle. We are more health conscious than have ever been. We bleach our children's toys, our dishes, our pet's dishes...I don't think I've seen a home that doesn't have Lysol (known to kill up to 99.99% of viruses and bacteria). However by living in this sort of state we have given rise to newly mutated, resistant viruses that are stronger than what we have faced before. We have allowed ourselves to be controlled by fear of the viruses. This is fulled in part by the ignorance of the general public and the lack of information given by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the World Health Organization. Many viruses that we know today have mutated substantially into different strains. Rabies has recently been found to have mutated into a "general contact" virus. There no longer needs to be a bite to transmit this new form of the virus, all it takes is a lick or a nuzzle, and you may be infected. If this can happen to rabies, it can happen to Avian Flu, Hantavirus, Hendra virus, Ebola virus, H1N1 and other Zoonosis diseases. (These are diseases transmitted from animal to humans.) 
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