Years away, but still good news.
Treatment ‘to neutralise all flu’
Scientists say they are developing an entirely new way of providing instant protection against flu.
In preliminary tests, it was found to protect animals against various strains of the virus – and may also protect against future pandemic strains.
University of Warwick researchers used a flu virus naturally stripped of some genetic material to compete with other invading flu viruses.
This slowed the rate of infection so much the body could fight it off.
In effect, the invading virus became its own vaccine by triggering an immune response sufficiently powerful to neutralise it before it could gain a strong enough foothold.
The Warwick team plan to develop the treatment as a nasal spray.
Now please cure the “common” cold. Thank you.
sweet!!! dont fix the common cold though – thats how I get out of work every few months
Experiments so far show that a single dose of protecting virus can be given six weeks before, and 24 hours after an infection with flu virus and be effective.
That sounds like we would still need annual and possibly even semi annual flu shots. Although that might still be better then the flu. Maybe they can find a better way of absorbing the vaccine instead of injection.
Darn, it is almost time for my yearly flu vaccine.
Ironically, while reading my AvantGo (on my Palm[TM]), one article from AlterNet (Left opinion/reporting) talked about a vaccine for nicotine, cocaine and heroin.
Link
J/P=?
#3 read on..
The Warwick team plan to develop the treatment as a nasal spray.
Since the treatment is a harmeless virus that interferes with harmful strains, it looks like this would protect you for 6 weeks until your body develops antibodies to the treatment. Doesn’t that mean that this will protect you for 6 weeks – once? Your body will destroy the treatment after the first use.
#3 read on..
The Warwick team plan to develop the treatment as a nasal spray.
Comment by ChrisMac — 10/4/2006 @ 6:38 pm
I missed that. But doesn’t someone already hold a patent for nasal vaccines? But like my kid says, “Up your nose with a rubber hose”.