Quote:
Originally posted by iroc409
i was reading something about how it's a combination of virii (i believe this was on msnbc). basically, at the moment it's hypothesized that the lethal cases were the ones with *both* of these infectants. presumably, one made you sick and attacked your immune system. then, if you caught the other one, it would be able to attack while your immune system is damaged.
hypothetically, you can get away okay if you just contract one of the virii. apparently they are relatively similar in their attack, so it very well could indicate a man-made virus.
they have been making some headway apparently too, but they have by no means solved this.
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It doesn't neccessarily have to be manmade to mutate quickly. Viruses work like thus. A virus attaches itself to the cell membrane, "injects" it's genetic material into the cell leaving the protien jacket on the membrane. The genetic material is then taken into the cell nucleus, and it in effect hijacks the cell processes for it's own needs. The cell then, instead of functioning with normal cellular processes, begins producing according to the viral DNA (generally propegation). The "baby" viruses build up inside the cell untli it lyses (blows up basically), and those viruses go on to infect other cells. Now, when the viral DNA is added to the cellular DNA, some of that DNA is transferred in the replication process. It's not unheard of for a viral DNA string to completely mutate in a period of 24-48 hours. This is part of the reason there is no cure for the common cold. The cold is a virus, and it's mutation pattern is so fast it's impossible to actually protect against that itself. Antivirulants work more against the viral vectors (methods of DNA delivery into the cell), and it's an emeging science, far from perfect. It's only in the last decade it's become more mainstream.
Yes, I'm a biology geek. Shoot me.