Diseases by schedule – Not only does the flu have its season



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Many infectious diseases decompose seasonally, in the image of the flu.

This is the conclusion of a researcher at Columbia University in New York in the journal PLOS Pathogens. In her study, she presents evidence of the seasonal dynamics of 69 infectious diseases, including sleeping sickness, zika, chickenpox, polio, and hepatitis B. The author identifies four main possible factors: climatic influences, which also affect mosquito density. Social rhythms such as school and vacation periods. Ecological factors such as the growth of algae, which can in turn be beneficial for bacteria. And biological rhythms – for example, the hormonal fluctuations that affect the immune system.

For her study, the scientist has relied on data from WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and previously published studies. With that, she created a calendar that shows the temporal structure of the epidemics.

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