Summary of the Research on Fever and Flu Viruses:
This research investigates the differing responses of human and avian flu viruses to fever. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
* Fever is effective against human flu: A 2°C increase in body temperature (fever) can significantly reduce the severity of infection from human-origin flu viruses, perhaps turning a lethal infection into a mild one.
* Avian flu viruses are resistant to fever: Avian flu viruses, though, are able to replicate even at fever-level temperatures. This is highly likely due to their origin in birds, which naturally have higher body temperatures.
* The PB1 gene is key: The PB1 gene of the virus plays a crucial role in determining temperature sensitivity.Viruses with an avian-like PB1 gene are more resistant to fever.
* Gene swapping is a threat: Human and avian flu viruses can exchange genes (like the PB1 gene) when they co-infect a host (e.g., pigs). this gene swapping has historically contributed to the severity of past pandemics (1957, 1968).
* Implications for pandemic preparedness: Monitoring bird flu strains for fever resistance is crucial for identifying potentially virulent strains and preparing for outbreaks.
* Questioning fever treatment: The research suggests that suppressing fever with medication (like ibuprofen or aspirin) might not always be beneficial and could even promote virus transmission. Further research is needed before changing treatment guidelines.
* High fatality rates of bird flu: Bird flu viruses have historically had high fatality rates in humans (e.g., H5N1 with over 40% mortality).
In essence, the study highlights the importance of understanding how viruses adapt to different host temperatures and the potential risks associated with gene swapping between human and avian flu strains. It also raises questions about the conventional practice of treating fever during influenza infections.
