How would you describe the influenza virus?
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it’s not the same as stomach “flu” viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
What are the unique characteristics of influenza virus?
The physical characteristics of influenza viruses are that they are single-stranded, RNA viruses enclosed in a helical nucleocapsid. On the outside, these viruses are enveloped. Two important proteins are found on surface of this envelope: hemagglutinin and neurominidase.
Is influenza RNA or DNA?
All influenza viruses consist of single-stranded RNA as opposed to dual-stranded DNA.
What is a characteristic of influenza medical terminology?
influenza, also called flu or grippe, an acute viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract that is marked by fever, chills, and a generalized feeling of weakness and pain in the muscles, together with varying degrees of soreness in the head and abdomen.
What are the structural components of a virus?
The simplest virions consist of two basic components: nucleic acid (single- or double-stranded RNA or DNA) and a protein coat, the capsid, which functions as a shell to protect the viral genome from nucleases and which during infection attaches the virion to specific receptors exposed on the prospective host cell.
Why is Influenza A retrovirus?
Retroviruses are a type of virus in the viral family called Retroviridae. They use RNA as their genetic material and are named for a special enzyme that’s a vital part of their life cycle — reverse transcriptase.
What does H and N Mean flu?
Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
What is the pathophysiology of influenza?
The primary mechanism of influenza pathophysiology is a result of lung inflammation and compromise caused by direct viral infection of the respiratory epithelium, combined with the effects of lung inflammation caused by immune responses recruited to handle the spreading virus (Table 1).
What is the etiology of influenza?
What Causes the Flu? The flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses spread when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk, sending droplets with the virus into the air and potentially into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.
What are the three parts that make up the structure of most viruses?
The correct answer is (d) Nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA), a capsid, and recognition spikes.