The mechanism at play here is incredibly different from wild flu viruses. For one, they have to be a very rare type of virus called a retrovirus[0], like HIV, that becomes part of our genome [1].
These types of elements in our genes are very interesting. We are an organic computer. ERVs are some of the most successful viruses from a natural selection perspective.
I'm sorry to tell you that the evidence presented here does not support your gut feeling.
Don't be sorry :) . I understand that they are talking about retroviruses, but they suspect that the trigger is more common viruses included the toxo virus that has been getting so many fun write ups. Obviously there is still a whole bunch more to determine, and some of these hypothesis will be disproved, but the general idea i fascinating.
These types of elements in our genes are very interesting. We are an organic computer. ERVs are some of the most successful viruses from a natural selection perspective.
I'm sorry to tell you that the evidence presented here does not support your gut feeling.
[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrovirus [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endogenous_retrovirus