INFLUENZA VIRUSES Meaning and
Definition
-
Influenza viruses refer to a group of RNA viruses that belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family, specifically the influenza virus genus. These viruses are the causative agents of the infectious disease known as influenza or the flu. Influenza viruses can infect a variety of animal species, including birds, pigs, horses, and humans.
The genome of influenza viruses consists of single-stranded RNA, which is segmented into multiple pieces. This characteristic allows for the potential reassortment of segments when two different strains of influenza viruses infect the same host simultaneously, leading to the emergence of novel strains.
Influenza viruses are classified into three main types: influenza A, B, and C. Among these types, influenza A viruses are the most common and are responsible for the majority of flu infections in humans. Influenza A viruses are further classified based on the presence of specific proteins on their surface: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). These proteins play crucial roles in viral attachment, entry, and release from host cells.
Influenza viruses primarily infect respiratory epithelial cells. They cause symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. Severe infections can lead to complications like pneumonia, particularly in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and young children. Influenza viruses can undergo frequent antigenic changes through genetic mutation and reassortment, which is why new strains of the virus emerge each year, requiring updated vaccines to combat the evolving viruses.
Given the capacity for rapid spread and potential for severe illness, the study, surveillance, and proactive measures against influenza viruses are critical to minimize their impact on public health.
Common Misspellings for INFLUENZA VIRUSES
- unfluenza viruses
- jnfluenza viruses
- knfluenza viruses
- onfluenza viruses
- 9nfluenza viruses
- 8nfluenza viruses
- ibfluenza viruses
- imfluenza viruses
- ijfluenza viruses
- ihfluenza viruses
- indluenza viruses
- incluenza viruses
- invluenza viruses
- ingluenza viruses
- intluenza viruses
- inrluenza viruses
- infkuenza viruses
- infpuenza viruses
- infouenza viruses
- inflyenza viruses
Etymology of INFLUENZA VIRUSES
The word "influenza" comes from the Italian phrase "influenza di freddo", which means "influence of the cold". The term was first used in Italy to describe outbreaks of respiratory illnesses believed to be caused by cold weather or atmospheric influences. The term eventually evolved to refer specifically to the viral disease we now know as the flu.
The word "virus" is derived from the Latin word "virus", meaning "poison" or "slimy liquid". It was initially used to describe any kind of poisonous or noxious substance. In the late 19th century, the term "virus" began to be used in the field of microbiology to refer to infectious agents that are smaller than bacteria and can cause disease.
