Carolina Scientific
Figure 1. Getting a flu shot is recommended by the CDC.
the National Institute of Health to begin conducting a large clinical trial with the UNC Department of Family Medicine. The study will focus on adult patients who are interested in getting a flu shot can enroll in the study, which involves taking blood samples before and after receiving the vaccination. The samples are then tested for antibody response and T cell response, which measure the immune system’s response to the primary infection of the vaccine. Dr. Beck thinks that comparing how individuals respond to the influenza vaccine will correlate to their body weight. The study is ongoing and hopes to register a
total of 1000 patients over a two-year time period [3]. So, what is Dr. Beck’s advice for the American population? “Watch your diet, lose weight, exercise and get your flu shot” [3]. Special thanks to Dr. Melinda Beck for her generous time and resources.
Abby Bouchon is a sophomore Pre-Nutrition major.
References
1. CDC Influenza Homepage, 2010. 2. E. Nester, in Microbiology: A Human Perspective (McGraw Hill, 2009). 3. Interview with Melinda A. Beck, PhD. 9/24/10 4. E.A. Karlsson, M.A. Beck. Journal of Immunology. 2010. 184, 3127-3133. 5. F.A. Murphy, CDC Public Health Image Library
Figure 2. Several Influenza virions [5].
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Fall 2010, Volume III Issue I