prions are long-term. it takes time for enough proteins to misfold to start showing symptoms.   lt0j431s > but the average time it takes for the symptoms of variant cjd to occur after initial infection (the incubation period) is still unclear. > the incubation period could be very long (more than 10 years) in some people, so those exposed to infected meat before the food controls were introduced can still develop variant cjd.  > cjd appears to be caused by an abnormal infectious protein called a prion. these prions accumulate at high levels in the brain and cause irreversible damage to nerve cells. > while the abnormal prions are technically infectious, they're very different from viruses and bacteria. > for example, prions aren't destroyed by the extremes of heat and radiation used to kill bacteria and viruses, and antibiotics or antiviral medicines have no effect on them.
Gadsden