A Good News Story

A small child got flu and was seriously ill. She recovered. Geneticists studied both her and her parents DNA. They discovered that she had a genetic mutation whereby she failed to make quantities of Interferon in response to infection. In this regard both  her parents were genetically normal. The genetic finding has been confirmed by testing blood samples from the clild and her parents with influenza virus. Interferon is readily available to treat patients. How many more people are at risk of serious illnes from flu due to this mechanism and how many might be helped if they got flu by giving them Interferon.? Time will tell but the news is good.