Myths and facts about the Ad14 mutant cold virus have been circulating since a New York City baby girl died last year from dehydration. Test results confirmed that she had been infected with the ad14, a mutated version of the common cold virus which has caused at least ten deaths in a little more than a year and a half.

FACTS:
Earlier this year in Texas, hundreds took ill and a 19-year-old died from what was called boot camp flu at the air force base in San Antonio. But the ad14 was believed to be the cause of the most serious cases.

Dr. John Su, a diseases expert with the centers for disease control said, "What really got people's attention is these are healthy young adults landing in the hospital, and in some cases, the intensive care unit."

According to a report from the united states centers for disease control, the ad14 virus has caused 140 illnesses in Washington, Oregon, New York and Texas. Dr. Larry Anderson, an epidemiologist at the centers for disease control said, "It's an uncommon infection."

Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay said, "It's making people quite a bit sicker than you would normally expect with the common cold. Researchers are tracking it quite closely now. Anytime you have a virus affecting healthy people in this way, you really do want to track it and pay close attention to it. Pneumonia that gets out of control appears to be what is causing the deaths."

Oregon health officials reported 31 cases last April of which seven died at a Portland hospital with severe pneumonia. Washington state reported four cases of the ad14 virus and one AIDS patient died who was also infected. The center of disease control officials said a vaccination against the mutant Ad14 might be needed. One of the army medical officials said, "If it persists, then we'd consider if the vaccine needs to be modified further."

MYTHS:
Despite the wide spread concern, the center for disease control doesn't believe the ad14 is any cause for alarm and hasn't issued any public warnings.

According to Larry Anderson, some people who get infected by the new bug probably would not suffer symptoms other than that of a common cold. Severe illnesses are more likely in people with weaker immune systems.

The Ad14 virus isn't exactly new and has actually been around since 1955. It was in 1969 when military recruits stationed in Europe came down with a rash which was attributed to the ad14 virus.

In conclusion, practice cold and flu prevention by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest. Wash your hands often and avoid those with cold symptoms. If someone close to you sneezes or coughs, hold your breath as long as you can .

Learn more about this author, Pat Lunsford.
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