Viruses, small biological particles that have the ability to reproduce, have been around far longer than even humans, existing for billions of years. Unlike living organisms, viruses cannot reproduce independently; rather, they depend on the infection of a host organism. As humans evolve, the viruses evolve as well, and new strains continually arise over time. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV, the causative agent of autoimmune deficiency syndrome, AIDS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus are two examples of viruses that have only recently spread to humans. The newest virus making headlines is the H1N1 flu, which has fast become a topic of international concern… Continue reading The H1N1 Flu: a Simple Seasonal Sickness or an International Crisis?