Influenza virus is an RNA virus that causes the contagious respiratory illness known as the flu. It primarily infects the nose, throat, and occasionally the lungs, leading to symptoms like fever, cough, and body aches.
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There are three main types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C, with types A and B being the most common causes of seasonal flu epidemics.
The influenza virus has a high mutation rate due to its segmented RNA genome, leading to frequent antigenic shifts and drifts.
Neuraminidase inhibitors (e.g., oseltamivir) are antiviral drugs commonly used to treat influenza by blocking viral release from host cells.
The primary mode of transmission for the influenza virus is through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Annual vaccination is recommended as it significantly reduces the risk of infection and severity of symptoms if contracted.