Influenza or "flu" is caused by a RNA virus that belongs to orthomyxovirus group (Schaechter, et al, 1999). It is an enveloped virus that is single stranded, has helical RNA and it's envelop is made up of a lipid bilayer as well as proteins and external glycoproteins (Schaechter, et al, 1999). Numerous vaccines have been developed every year, however it can not be stamped out due to the viruses ability to change it's main antigens hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (Schaechter, et al, 1999). This prevents a person from developing immunity to new strains of influenza that arise.
Immunity to influenza strains or any other virus has a very simple system. Once the body has had initial contact with the virus eventually it will make enough specific antibodies to destroy the virus. Some of these antibodies then remain circulating in the body forever. If the body then comes in contact with the same virus it should immediately kill off the virus. However this process does not seem to work with influenza. .
Influenza exists in three types: Influenza A, B, C. Influenza type A has been studied extensively, in fact the complete amino acid sequence is known (angelfire, 9/10/02). The influenza A virus is a globular particle that is about 100nm in diameter (angelfire, 9/10/02). It has an outer lipid bilayer that is made up of the host's cell membrane. In the lipid bilayer there is approximately 500 molecules of hemagglutinin and approximately 100 molecules of neuraminidase (Duke, 9/10/02). Inside the bilayer there is about 3000 molecules protein matrix and 8 pieces of viral RNA. This single stranded RNA is of negative polarity, this means that for protein synthesis RNA must be transcribed in to translatable messages (angelfire, 9/10/02). Influenza B also has hemagglutinin and neuraminidase in it's membrane, influenza B however is not nearly as dangerous as influenza A (angelfire, 9/10/02). Influenza C also only has one protein in it's membrane, however it has both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase activity.
One of the largest killers in the history of the United States and of the world is Influenza virus. ... Unlike most other ailments, influenza, even today, has no definite cure. ... One of the worst parts of influenza is our lack of knowledge about it. Even today there is no specific medical cure for the virus. ... We can only hope that in the future if this virus was to reappear that somehow we will be able to stop it....
Introduction Influenza, commonly known as the "flu", is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. ... Causative Agent Influenza is caused by any of several closely related viruses in the family Orthomyxoviridae (a group of RNA viruses). Influenza viruses are categorized as types A, B, and C. ... The A viruses cause the great influenza epidemics, and the B viruses cause smaller localized outbreaks; the C viruses are not important causes of disease in humans. Influenza A viruses are classified into subtypes, and both influenza B and subtypes of influenza A a...
Firstly, It's the original characteristics of all Influenza viruses. ... Influenza viruses are type which can be carried in the air, and can remain for one week in normal temperature. ... In this next part, we will have some data on the variants of Influenza virus. ... The last part of this investigation is on the evolving tendency – the mutation of Influenza viruses. ... In conclusion, the evolution of Influenza viruses is a natural process and it's something we can't stop. ...
Influenza viruses belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family. ... These are not really related to the true respiratory influenza caused by the influenza virus. ... Usually, the influenza virus is spherical and 100nm in diameter, although they do display a lot of variation in their size. ... Influenza virus enters the host cells by a process of membrane fusion. ... Highly pleomorphic (irregular) influenza particles as often seen on first cultivation An unusual arrangement of virus particles Influenza viruses budding from the surface of and infected cell ...
" But why should we get an influenza vaccine? ... Could the possibility of contracting the Influenza virus be overly publicized by mass media so much so that it over compensates for the actual effects of the flu? Only 2.7 percent of people get the influenza virus in America. The whole idea behind the influenza vaccine is that it protects the population from the influenza virus, but how can it do that if only 2.7% get influenza to begin with (Natural News.com). ... Many people see advertisements for the influenza vaccine and say, "I need to get my influenza vaccine," or "It&...
This is a plot-driven thriller concerning a deadly influenza. ... This Spanish influenza killed 20-30 million people worldwide in 1918. Afraid that the North Koreans may be using the microbe to make a biological weapon, the team realizes the importance of creating a vaccine against the virus. Since the virus undergoes mutation the strains are different and they cannot make an effective vaccine. Two NIH scientists, Anne Adair and Benton Kicklighter, have proposed digging up the bodies of miners buried in permafrost in Spitsbergen, an island in the Arctic Circle owned by Norway, to retrieve lu...
The Influenza of 1918-1919 Influenza is one of humanity's oldest scourges and still remains our most challenging communicable disease. ... The origins of this influenza are not precisely known. ... The virus caused uncontrollable haemorrhaging that filled the lungs of the victim. ... Many of the people of the town went home carrying the deadly virus. In total more than 500 people died in Monessen in the course of the virus, and nearly 13,000 people were infected. ...
The 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic, which killed millions people, is a reminder of how serious influenza can be without vaccines. ... Vaccine Design Before the vaccine production can begin, the influenza strains must be selected. According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] the quadrivalent vaccine is made with two influenza A strains and two influenza B strains, (2014). ... Creating the Seed Virus A seed virus is produced using the process of reassortment. ... After a viable seed virus is found, it is injected other eggs to create a seed virus stock. ...
Viruses are the smallest of all the microbes. ... Viruses are capable of latching onto host cells and getting inside them. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses began to devise and implement rules for the naming and classification of viruses early in the 1970s, an effort that continues to the present. ... Examples of common human diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, and cold sores. Many serious diseases such as Ebola virus disease, AIDS, and SARS are caused by viruses. ...