Could 'Swine Flu Risk' Genetic Related?

Jakarta, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) or also known as swine flu worldwide and jerk reminiscent of a similar pandemic in 1918, where millions of people die from flu. Even until today, although there is a trend decline in the number of new cases, this pandemic has not been completed in total.

In the world, as many as 214 countries spread across all continents participate affected, with more than 18.000 deaths (WHO data June 13, 2010). In Asia, the pandemic is still actively circulating in Malaysia and Singapore with the downward trend.

In Indonesia alone, although the June 13, 2010 WHO report mentions the lack of new transmission activities in Indonesia during the month of June 2010, has occurred despite the accumulation of more than 1000 transmission (MOH Report August 23, 2009) with five deaths.

In today's modern society, it is very difficult to completely avoid exposure to the virus A (H1N1). Even restrictions on travel (travel restriction) undoubtedly a benefit as an effective method to stem this pandemic.

Most people would never exposed to this virus, with rates varying exposure. But we do not see relative fantastic figures on the number of people infected. Meanwhile, among people infected with the disease only slightly worse until a crisis stage.

Loius Pasteur, one of the foundation stone of the science of microbiology, admitted that the most important question that can not be answered (in his time) by the infectious disease research is that there is variability in the level of exceptional severity of infection among people infected by the same microorganism.

Today people understand that the difference in the level of variability in the severity of the infection was caused by the difference of one level of immunity. But why does this happen? Why do people have different levels of immune response?

Composition and variation of genetic material is one answer. Our genetic material, with different levels, to determine how much risk you are infected, how severe illness if infected, and even what the most appropriate treatment to prevent the development of disease severity.

This is called genetic susceptibility to infection (genetic susceptibility to infection). Genetic variation can involve only one gene (monogenic), but can also be many genes (polygenic).

Human genetic susceptibility to various infections

Genetic variations that determine differences in susceptibility to infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis has been studied enough.

Best known example is how people with various disorders of red blood cells such as sickle cell disease (sickle-cell disease) and thalassemia have immunity against malaria infection.
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