Wasted youth.The experiments with mice infected with the 1918 influenza virus influenza virus n. Any of three viruses of the genus Influenzavirus designated type A, type B, and type C, that cause influenza and influenzalike infections. are important but not surprising ("The Bad Fight: Immune systems immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. harmed 1918 flu patients," SN: 9/30/06, p. 211). John Barry's The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History (2004, Viking) explains that many, perhaps most, of the victims were killed by the overreaction o·ver·re·act intr.v. o·ver·re·act·ed, o·ver·re·act·ing, o·ver·re·acts To react with unnecessary or inappropriate force, emotional display, or violence. of their immune systems. This may be why most of the victims were young, with strong, young immune systems. JOHN MYERS, SAN DIEGO San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. , CALIF. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion