Orthomyxoviruses Flashcards
Main Example
Influenza Virus
General characteristics (2)
Enveloped
Linear ssRNA genome
Genome
Consists of 8 segments (allows combinations/rearrangements)
Surface Glycoproteins
HA and NA
Responsible for pathogenicity
How many subtypes?
In birds, animals, human: 15 HA and 9NA
In humans only: 4HA and 2NA
How many types?
3
A, B, C
Cold Vs Flu
Cold = Rhinoviruses, Coronaviruses, Adenoviruses Flu = Influenza virus
Cold - Rare fever, vomitting, nausea, diarrhea
Uncomplicated Influenza
Caused by A or B
Influenza C causes common cold illness, Coryza
Pneumonia
Only in babies, elderly, Immunocompromised
Enhances susceptibility of patients to bacterial superinfection (streptococcus pneumoniae)
Reye’s syndrome
Acute encephalopathy of children and adolescents
Antigenic Drift (4)
Influenza A and B
Epidemics
Can occur every year
Main reason why people can get flu more than one time
Antigenic shift (4)
Major antigenic change of either HA or NA antigens or both
Occurs either between 2 A viruses or 2 B viruses, not a mixture of A and B
Pandemic with high mortality
Occurs every 8-10 years
Spanish flu
H1N1
1918-1919
Asian Flu
H2N2
1957-1958
Hong Kong Flu
H3N2
1968-1969