Children are more susceptible to virus than adults are

BETHESDA, MD — A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in conjunction with the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, helps conquer the conundrum of children being more susceptible to the H1N1 influenza A (swine flu) virus than their adult counterparts, according to the LA Health Technology Examiner.

According to the study, since most adults have been exposed to one or more flu strains in the past 30 years, they have a natural degree of immunity as they have built up antibodies, the story stated.

According to the article, this previous exposure does not prevent adults from getting infected, but it does reduce the ability of the swine flu virus to cause a severe infection.

The younger a child is, the more vulnerable he or she is to infection because their immune system has yet to experience a breach like that of swine flu, the story noted.

Because of their increased defenselessness, it is extremely important that parents and guardians teach proper hygiene practices to children and that the environments they frequent — schools, daycares, playgrounds, etc. — be properly cleaned and disinfected, the story added.

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