G6_Zombie Apocalypse__04_grade level

Dwaine knows from his science class that there are many common illnesses caused by viruses. Certainly not all viruses are deadly like the West Nile Virus. Viruses cause common illnesses, such as diarrhea, measles, colds sores, colds, and the flu. Dwaine’s mind wanders from his readings. He recalls one of his mother’s favorite sayings, “There is no cure for the common cold.” What could this mean for Max Trudeau?

Dwaine doesn’t need to read any further. He knows that if this outbreak is caused by a virus, it could spell disaster. Even the simple flu virus has killed tens of millions of people in the twentieth century. When it comes to viruses, the bad news is that they are not responsive to antibiotics, unlike bacteria.

However, several viral diseases can be treated with antiviral drugs or prevented with vaccines. For example, you can get a flu shot at the beginning of the flu season. This shot helps to prevent or at least lessens the symptoms of the flu.

After reading a few dozen more pages, Dwaine learns Max has made significant progress. He has ruled out fungi and parasites as a cause for the outbreak. Fungi can cause human illness in three different ways: poisonings, parasitic infections, and allergic reactions. There is no evidence to support fungi as a cause of the outbreak.  Not everyone infected ate fungi, such as mushrooms; inhaled mold; or encountered a surface containing a fungus.

There is also no evidence to support parasites as a cause. Max is now hard at work narrowing down his final choices: bacterial or viral.

Dwaine closes his book and drifts off to sleep. His dreams are filled with a mix of zombie attacks and working alongside Max Trudeau. Tomorrow is another day back at school, where Dwaine now has one more reason to pay attention in science class. What if there really is a Zombie Apocalypse? Dwaine will need to be ready, just in case Max Trudeau is not available.