This article explores the intricacies of influenza A, a respiratory virus responsible for causing pandemics due to its rapid mutation rate. It distinguishes influenza A from other types and subtypes, emphasizing its prevalence during flu season and potential severity compared to influenza B.
We've all heard of 'the flu' but when it comes to types, subtypes and variants, influenza can get a bit complicated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 9,000 people were admitted to hospitals with influenza in the week ending December 14 and 9 percent of clinical tests were positive for influenza. Both of these statistics are up from the week before, indicating that the U.S. is heading further into flu season .
What Is Influenza A? Influenza is a common respiratory virus that is categorized into four types: A, B, C and D. Type C only causes mild infections and type D is not believed to infect humans. However, influenza A and B can infect humans and contribute to seasonal flu epidemics: winter months during which there is a high rate of infection. Influenza B primarily affects humans but mutates slowly, so populations are likely to have some immunity against infection. In contrast, influenza A affects many different animals, including birds and humans, and mutates quickly. This means new strains can emerge that infect people and spread efficiently, without as much protection from our immune systems. For this reason, influenza A is the only type that causes pandemics. Influenza A is believed to be the most severe type of flu virus for humans, although this is the subject of debate, as there is some evidence to suggest that influenza B might be equally as dangerous. How Does It Differ From Seasonal Flu? When flu season hits, it is both the influenza A and B variants that are responsible for the resulting illnesses. In the most recent influenza surveillance report from the CDC, of the week ending December 14, 96.7 percent of flu infections were caused by influenza A. Influenza A is broken down even further into many different subtypes defined by the proteins on each virus's surfac
Influenza A Flu Virus Pandemics Respiratory Virus Flu Season
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Avian influenza: Bird flu spread triggers state of emergency in CaliforniaPandora is the trending news editor at Live Science. She is also a science presenter and previously worked as Senior Science and Health Reporter at Newsweek. Pandora holds a Biological Sciences degree from the University of Oxford, where she specialised in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Read more »
Flu cases rising among kids as flu vaccine rates hit a decade-lowErika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and 'TODAY.'
Read more »
Virus Hunters Track Global Threats from Flu to Bird FluDr. Rodgers, a virus hunter, discusses the constant evolution of viruses and the importance of global monitoring. She highlights the risks posed by circulating respiratory viruses like RSV, flu, and COVID-19, especially during the holiday season. Rodgers also emphasizes the need to watch avian influenza (H5N1) as human cases increase, despite remaining mild so far.
Read more »
Flu Season Explodes in the US, Sending Patients to Emergency RoomsThe US is experiencing a sharp increase in flu cases, with lab tests and emergency room visits surging. Thirteen states reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week, and medical experts say the number of patients with flu symptoms is rapidly rising. Flu activity is especially high in Tennessee, where hospitals are reporting a significant number of flu-related admissions.
Read more »
Flu Vaccine Guards Household Contacts of Infected PeopleFlu vaccinations can prevent people living in the same household as infected individuals from contracting secondary influenza, particularly if the pathogen is influenza B virus.
Read more »
Flu Season Surge Across US, Hospitalizations RiseThe United States is experiencing a surge in flu cases, with health officials reporting sharp increases in lab tests and emergency room visits. Thirteen states reported high or very high levels of flu-like illness last week, and hospitals in several regions, including Tennessee, are seeing a significant uptick in patients with flu symptoms. While COVID-19 hospitalizations have been declining, RSV activity remains higher than flu.
Read more »