Influenza

The Influenza topic includes research on the causative pathogens, transmission, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the illness caused by influenza viruses, also known as the flu. There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease in people (known as flu season) almost every winter in the United States.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect tissues in the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Getting a flu vaccine has been shown to prevent flu and its severe complications. Vaccines are updated yearly. Influenza research is an ever-changing multidisciplinary field as the viruses constantly mutate and follow different transmission patterns, requiring continuous tracking and study to prevent pandemics, improve diagnostic testing, develop effective novel vaccines, and identify improved treatments.