What are 5 facts about influenza?

Key Facts About Influenza (Flu)
  • fever* or feeling feverish/chills.
  • cough.
  • sore throat.
  • runny or stuffy nose.
  • muscle or body aches.
  • headaches.
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

What are the characteristics of influenza C?

Influenza virus C tends to cause mild upper respiratory infections. Cold-like symptoms are associated with the virus including fever (38–40 °C), dry cough, rhinorrhea (nasal discharge), headache, muscle pain, and achiness. The virus may lead to more severe infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

What are the major structural features of influenza?

The influenza particle, or virion, is typically spherical, but sometimes filamentous. It has an outer lipid membrane layer called an envelope derived from the host cell that it replicated in. The envelope is covered with glycoproteins HA and NA which form structures like spikes.

How do you identify influenza virus?

Diagnostic tests available for detection of influenza viruses in respiratory specimens include molecular assays (including rapid molecular assays, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests); and antigen detection tests (including rapid influenza diagnostic tests …

What causes influenza?

The flu is caused by an influenza virus. Most people get the flu when they breathe in tiny airborne droplets from the coughs or sneezes of someone who has the flu. You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. People often confuse colds and flu.

What type of pathogen is influenza?

Influenza is caused by infection of the respiratory tract with influenza viruses, RNA viruses of the Orthomyxovirus genus.

What is the full name of the flu?

Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses.

Why is it important to diagnose influenza?

Accurate and early diagnosis of influenza viral infections are critical for rapid initiation of antiviral therapy to reduce influenza related morbidity and mortality both during seasonal epidemics and pandemics.

How is influenza treated?

Antiviral drugs can help treat flu illness: Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick.

What is Type C influenza?

Influenza C virus (ICV) is lesser known type of influenza virus that commonly causes cold-like symptoms and sometimes causes lower respiratory infection, especially in children <2 years of age [1].

What is influenza type C and D?

Influenza C virus infections generally cause mild illness and are not thought to cause human epidemics. Influenza D viruses primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.

Does influenza C have neuraminidase?

While influenza A and B virus contain the two glycoproteins Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) inserted into the viral membrane, influenza C virus possesses only one spike designated Hemagglutinin-Esterase-Fusion (HEF) protein which combines the functions of both HA and NA (Herrler et al., 1988a; Herrler and …

What is the reservoir of influenza C?

Humans are the only known reservoir of influenza type C. Influenza B generally infects humans, but at least two reports have documented influenza B in seals. Influenza A viruses may infect both humans and some animals.

What are the symptoms of influenza A and B?

People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
  • fever* or feeling feverish/chills.
  • cough.
  • sore throat.
  • runny or stuffy nose.
  • muscle or body aches.
  • headaches.
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

What is the most common flu type?

Influenza A

Type A influenza is the most common strain and the one usually responsible for the majority of seasonal flu cases, especially the most severe instances. Symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and exhaustion. An influenza A infection may last for about one to two weeks.