10 Facts About Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses.

Influenza infection is diagnosed with laboratory methods such as antibody or antigen tests and a polymerase chain reaction to identify viral nucleic acid.

Influenza viruses have a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome that is segmented.

Influenza viruses encode various accessory proteins, such as PB1-F2 and PA-X, that are expressed through alternative open reading frames and which are important in host defense suppression, virulence, and pathogenicity.

Influenza can be prevented or reduced in severity by post-exposure prophylaxis with the antiviral drugs oseltamivir, which can be taken orally by those at least three months old, and zanamivir, which can be inhaled by those above seven years of age.

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Influenza can affect pregnancy, including causing smaller neonatal size, increased risk of premature birth, and an increased risk of child death shortly before or after birth.

Influenza-associated encephalopathy can occur directly from central nervous system infection from the presence of the virus in blood and presents as suddent onset of fever with convulsions, followed by rapid progression to coma.

Influenza is typically characterized by seasonal epidemics and sporadic pandemics.

Influenza in pigs is a respiratory disease similar to influenza in humans and is found worldwide.

Influenza viruses have been found in many other animals, including cattle, horses, dogs, cats, and marine mammals.