Pathogenesis of RNA Viruses in High Risk Populations

Dr. Stacey Schultz-Cherry 
Member, Department of Infectious Diseases and Deputy Director, 
St Jude Children's Research Hospital 

Dr. Schultz-Cherry starts her presentation by explaining the science of what happens when a human is infected with influenza. From there, she presents a fast-paced overview of the flu, including interspecies contagion (such as Avian Flu, and the recent discovery that cats can get the flu from their owners), history (including the pandemic of 1918), the role of vaccines, and how the disease is tracked, both within the U.S. by the Center for Disease Control and globally by the World Health Organization. She then focuses in on her recent research that shows links between obesity and increased severity of symptoms from influenza viruses. 

Recorded: February 13, 2015