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1918 Influenza

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mutated so significantly that the immune system was not prepared to fight it. (Peters 4). Concluding that this virus had mutated to become a different strain, scientists also understood that the pathogens adapted to the immune system and were immune to its defenses so they could attack with without causing harm. This was probably the reason why it spread so quickly; there was little struggle for the virus to attack. Besides the mystery and severity, the main obstacle, after the pandemic deflated, was the fact that there was little significant evidence to study the virus, most victims were now buried and decomposed. It seemed as though there was no chance of finding any evidence of why this virus was so deadly. However, in 1997, …show more content…

Taubenburger compared the 1918 influenza virus with the normal flu virus. He found the key difference which was a mutation in the genetic code. With those differences, he was able to weaken the virus and create a vaccine for it. That weakened virus was not exact the ingredient to the vaccine formula but allowed Dr.
Taubenburger and may other scientists to create a recipe for viruses to come. There is finally relief of the horrors brought from the 1918 pandemic. Many lives suffered through two years of a deadly virus that no one would speak of. The virus was …show more content…

The thousands of deaths could perhaps now be known as thankful sacrifices. Because of these findings, scientists have a better idea of how to
Witucki !8 approach an arising virus and will never allow another pandemic become as deadly as their model. At first glance of the influenza virus, most people would probably feel slight sympathy and continue on with their day. It is only natural to think so considering the eye that reads of the pandemic do not see any relation to it today. However, that eye is merely covered in a blind of lacked knowledge. Although it occurred almost one hundred years ago, the world should still care for it today. These oblivious visuals do not comprehend the reality of it: the virus is still all around us and has found a way to incorporate itself through many pandemics that the modern age has experienced. Through the findings of the lungs, the world today has now been able to understand how the virus was able to be transmitted from one person to the next. Viruses cannot simply transmit themselves to one person at will. They need special genes to be able to unlock the cell and one of the specific Hemagglutinin genes, also known as the key to the cell. Once it has the correct

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