[HTML1] In this interview and show Dr. Gracer interviews Professor John Oxford, Professor of Virology at the London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the UK, on measures to reduce the risk of infection with the flu.
Professor Oxford describes and discusses a recent extensive, world-wide study which shows that simple measures such as hand-washing and using anti-bacterial lotions, if done consistently (that is, are habitual) decrease the risk of getting flu. He also discusses the signals he has observed which suggest that that the risk of a severe outbreak this flu season (2011-12) is very high.
After the interview, Dr. Gracer further discusses tests for influenza, and immunization and other measures you can take to avoid getting the flu. He defines measures that must or can be taken to prevent a disease like flu from becoming an epidemic or pandemic.
More about John Oxford
Professor John Oxford is Professor of Virology at the London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the UK. He has co-authored two standard texts: Influenza, the Viruses and the Disease with Sir Charles Stuart-Harris and G.C. Schild and most recently Human Virology, a Text for Students of Medicine, Dentistry and Microbiology published by Oxford University Press. Professor Oxford has also published more than 250 scientific papers.
His research interest is the pathogenicity of influenza, in particular the 1918 Spanish Influenza strain, which he combines with conducting clinical trials using new influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs. This research has been featured on recent Science TV programmes in the UK, USA, Germany and Holland.
Professor Oxford is Scientific Director of the college research virology company called Retroscreen Virology Ltd (RetroScreen.com) and is the chair of the Global Hygiene Council.
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