what is influenza

disease (dĭ-zēz´) a definite pathological process having a characteristic set of signs and symptoms. It may affect the whole body or any of its parts, and its etiology, pathology, and prognosis may be known or unknown

virus (vi´rәs) any member of a unique class of infectious agents, originally distinguished by their smallness because they could pass through fine ceramic filters that blocked all cells, as well as by their inability to replicate unless they were inside a living host cell receiving its assistance. Because these properties are shared by certain bacteria (such as the rickettsiae and chlamydiae), viruses are now characterized by their simple organization and their unique mode of replication. A virus consists of genetic material, which may be either DNA or RNA, and it is surrounded by a protein coat, and in some cases by a membranous envelope. Unlike cellular organisms, viruses do not contain all the biochemical mechanisms for their own replication; they replicate by using the biochemical mechanisms of a host cell to synthesize and assemble their separate components.

It is important to fully understand the dynamics of the Influenza strain. It manifests itself upon this earth in five distinct forms and we will thank the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses for our next bit of information.The actual number of classified strains of Influenza virus are in the hundreds. Each strain can be traced back to the location of the outbreak and what type of animal that it originated in. The first three may be found to directly infect humans:

+Influenza virus (A)- also known as the "Avian Flu", this is the most common of the Influenza strain. The Spanish Flu, historically, has been the best example of the type A class, it officially lasted from 1918 to 1920. The Avian Flu can actually be traced back to 1878 when a "fowl plague" swept through Italy. The two most active strains are the H5N1 and the H3N2. H5N1 has been the most prevalent since the 1990's, it was traced to chickens in southern China. The H5N1 strain has been the potent strain until the emergence of the H3N2 strain The H3N2 is the first one to show resistance to the two most common antiviral drugs Amantadine and Rimantadine. H3N2 showed a dramatic increase in measured resistance to antivirus drugs from 1% in 1994 to 12% in 2003 to 91% in 2005. Researchers are concerned that the H5N1 and the H3N2 could mutate or at least pass its resistance to the anti-viruses.

+Influenza (B)- type (A) is the fastest replicating form of the Influenza Virus, type (B) is the second fastest form. It is unique to humans and seals.

+Influenza (C)- type (B) is the slowest of the viruses to replicate. Type (B) is found only in humans and pigs. It is important to note that the "Swine Flu" that we know is a deviation of the Influenza type (A) virus, not type (C).

There are two sub categories of the Influenza virus.

+ISA or Infectious Salmon Anemia- Fish have DNA in their red blood cells. The presence of DNA allows for the Influenza virus to attack and cause a form of anemia in the fish.

Thogotovirus- Influenza in this form is found in ticks. Thogotovirus can be transmitted to humans and really any vertebrate species. In humans the symptoms are feverish and can even cause encephalitis.