Flu or influenza is caused by a virus that has been given the name influenza virion, belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. Enclosed in an envelope of spherical structure, the outer layer of the virus is a lipid membrane. The virus obtains this membrane from the host cells and uses it for growth. The membrane comprises of spikes, formed from glycoproteins that are referred to as hemagglutinin or HA and neuraminidase or NA. It is these proteins that have led to different classes of the influenza virus: typically influenzavirus A, influenzavirus B and influenzavirus C. Just below the outer lipid membrane lies the viral or matrix protein, which is called M1. This protein forms a sort of shell and provides a rigid support to the membrane.
The three classes of influenza have more or less the same structure that has been described above. They have a diameter that is between 80 and 12 nanometers. Their shapes are spherical, but influenza C also exists in the form of cordlike structures.
Effects on Health
Influenza can have adverse effects on health that start with a flu and progress onto diseases as serious as pneumonia and bronchitis. The initial symptoms are very similar to the common cold such as runny nose and sneezing. These are accompanied with fever, aching muscles, headaches and fatigues.
Though influenza can develop in anyone, there are factors in which the chances of infection are more. For instance, young children and people above 65 are more prone to suffering from influenza. Living condition also play an active role in this, and if an individual lives among many people, he is more likely to develop influenza.
The most effective ways to treat influenza are antiviral medications.
Transmission
Influenza virus is easily transmissible through air via sneezes and coughs. When a person infected with influenza coughs or sneezes, he emits droplets in the air that contain his infected saliva. These droplets create aerosols that contain the virus and lead to its spread. Other than this, nasal secretions and bird droppings can also help in the transmission.
Prevention
The main key to preventing influenza is to preventing the virus. Soap can do this, so regular hand washing is required. Wash your hands thoroughly for almost 15 seconds, and use a hand sanitizer when you are done. Sunlight can also play a role in preventung the virus, and decreasing infection risk. If you stay away from crowds, there is a lesser chance you would be infected. You should also get yourself vaccinated via an injection or a spray, but this does not offer 100% prevention.