Kevin Pollock: The microbiology course I wrote this paper for was a seminar course on virology. I found this assignment very interesting and relevant because we all live under the threat of “bird flu” and despite its growing notoriety, there is still disinformation being spread to/by the public and I fear that most people are unaware of what exactly makes avian influenza such a threat. This paper includes background on significant “flu” viruses of the past 100 years and what characterized each as a different influenza strain. I then go on to discuss the antiviral drugs available and in trial, which are not the typical flu drugs you think of which merely work to limit the symptoms while your immune system still battles the viral load. I also discuss the issues we face with vaccination, and how prepared the world is with regard to an emerging influenza pandemic (e.g. bird flu).”
