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Date: Sun, 24 Jun 1990 02:47:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #566

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 11 : Issue 566

Today's Topics:
       Re: Immune system depression: Isolation or microgravity?

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Date: 24 Jun 90 04:50:50 GMT
From: dfkling@june.cs.washington.edu  (Dean F. Kling)
Subject: Re: Immune system depression: Isolation or microgravity?

>  [...] However, I recently heard that researchers in Antarctica
>also show immune system depression during the long periods of isolation
>during the south polar winter.  The theory I heard is that this is due
>to the isolation; new bugs aren't being constantly introduced to keep
>the immune system on its toes.
> [...]
>"A people who expect to be ignorant        Mike Van Pelt
> and free expect what never will,          Headland Technology
> and never can, be."                       (was: Video Seven)
>         -- Thomas Jefferson               ...ames!vsi1!v7fs1!mvp

  I can offer what might be a similar example.  When deploying on a 
ballistic missile submarine the crew is isolated for about two months
(nominally).  My experience was that there was a rash of colds/upper
respiratory infections the first week out or so, and then generally good
health once we had developed immunity to the bugs we brought with us.
Everything was fine until return to port, when I, at least, could count 
on having the sniffles for a week or so.   

					Dean
					dfkling.cs.washington.edu

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End of SPACE Digest V11 #566
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