Because of the strong flu, taste buds can grow in the lungs.

Generally, people recover from the flu.for one or two weeks, but complications such as pneumonia persist in patients even after the destruction of all viral particles. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania decided to identify the cause of this phenomenon, and studied the structure of the lungs of laboratory mice who had had “swine flu”. It turned out that in serious cases of the disease, the virus changes the structure of the lungs, and taste buds appear in them. According to scientists, they are the cause of complications.

Researchers have already known that withInfluenza disease epithelial cells that line the alveoli die. The resulting grooves are quickly replenished by the surrounding cells to prevent disruption of the structure of the alveoli. In this case, a side effect occurs - the resulting “patches” cannot perform the function of gas exchange with pulmonary capillaries, which is why further health problems arise.

Examination of flu-infected miceshowed that taste buds can also form in the holes formed. The same cells were previously found in the intestine and oral cavity - they react to the bitter taste and help the body release anti-inflammatory substances against poisons and toxins. Apparently, in the lungs, they perform the same function, but when they multiply, there is a dangerous effect - inflammation.

According to researchers, these cells can alsocause other diseases, such as asthma. After learning this, scientists have another opportunity to quickly cure the effects of the flu. However, before developing drugs, researchers need to make sure that the same reaction occurs in humans - after all, the experiment was performed on mice.

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