The Great Influenza: Get the Facts, not Hype. Swine Flu Q&A (click HD)

[zenpal00za]

are you a doctor?

[CircaRigel]

Almost. I'm currently studying for my board exams. I am, however, a microbiologist. I earned my degree in microbiology a decade ago and have worked in research for even longer than that.

[DynaCatlovesme]

Oh! LOL!  Comment approval1! Sorry!

[CircaRigel]

If you accept the friend invite, approval won't be needed.

[DynaCatlovesme]

One thing. Flu carries DNA Retorovirues such as HIV carry RNA.

[CircaRigel]

Check again. Influenza virus is an RNA virus, which is why it is able to mutate so rapidly. Influenza DOES NOT have DNA... RNA only. You may be thinking of the bacteria, haemophilus influenzae, which does have DNA. Retroviruses are NOT the only ones that carry RNA, and their mechanism is a VERY different from other viruses (both RNA and DNA viruses), but I'm not going to get into the details here... not enough room.

[DynaCatlovesme]

HIV dumps RNA into the cell, reverse transcription makes DS-DNA which gets spliced into the cell's genome. Flu carries DNA which hijacks the cell's mRNA for ribosomal translation. I tried to include illustrative links but they won't post.

[CircaRigel]

Basically, yes. Retroviruses still aren't the only RNA viruses, though. They just have that unique transcription method involving DS-DNA with insertion into the cell genome. Influenza A, however, has 8 different RNA segments, with encoding for the two antigenic surface proteins on the NA and HA genes, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

[DynaCatlovesme]

Yeah, you're right there, I needed to refresh, as I'd forgotten the negative-sense aspect.

[CircaRigel]

Not a problem. I think I made a mistake when reading my notes and said seven instead of eight.