Flu (Influenza) »

Influenza Virus

Influenza Viruses are microscopic parasite that infects cells in biological organisms. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites which means they can reproduce only by invading and controlling other cells as they lack the cellular machinery for self-reproduction. Most of the viruses are pathogenic in nature.

Influenza (flu) belongs to a family of viruses called Orthomyxoviridae. 'Myxa' in Greek means mucus indicating its fondness for epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract. Three genotypes of influenza virus exist, namely influenza A, influenza B, and influenza C. Type A is associated with epidemics and has many mammalian hosts such as man, pigs, ferrets, horses and birds. Type B infects only humans and causes disease but less severe than type A. Type C only infects humans and is thought to be harmless. This strain is genetically and morphologically distinct from the former genotypes.

The influenza virus has been the subject of intense scientific interest since its first isolation in the year 1933. Through the use of electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography the entire structure of the influenza virus has been determined in due course of time. DNA sequencing has revealed all the genes contained inside the virus along with their associated proteins.

Influenza is a basically a viral illness. Viruses have the ability to change/mutate quite readily; hence there are many "strains" of influenza. The two major strains are labeled type A and B. Varieties of subtypes have also been identified and are often known by their nicknames such as the " Australian Flu."

Influenza is usually seen in local outbreaks or epidemics throughout the world. Epidemics may appear at any time but are usually concentrated in months of high humidity. They occur explosively with little or no warning. The number of people affected can vary from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands. Epidemics may be short-lived, lasting days or weeks but larger epidemics may last for months. Although influenza is a mild disease in most individuals, it is life threatening to elderly or debilitated individuals. Proper care and treatment is required for getting rid off this dreaded ailment.