Body Uses H1N1 Defeat to Improve Immune System

Body Uses H1N1 Defeat to Improve Immune System

In a study published in the Jan. 10 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers indicated that they have uncovered what researchers referred to as a major win in the fight against flu viruses.

Typically the CDC has to try to reasonably predict seasonal flu strains and then quickly mass-produce an appropriate vaccine every year. Last year the swine flu was not the predicted virus and the government agency had to play catch up in developing a vaccine to combat the strain of the virus which was immune to the vaccine which most people had already received.

In something of a lucky break, it turns out that individuals, who got the swine flu last year and recovered, now have antibodies which can protect them against a wide variety of viruses. The body appears to have had something of a special response of the immune system to the virus and produced this broad spectrum antibody. Using the new antibodies in these individuals, researchers believe that they will be able to replicate it in the form of a vaccine which should also have the same broad anti-viral effect.