Influenza means ‘flu’, caused by RNA viruses of Orthomyxoviridae family which is an infectious agent of birds and mammals. It causes mild to severe symptoms including chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, fatigue. Occasionally it leads to pneumonia in both healthy and immunosuppressive person. Influenza is transmitted through the air by coughing, sneezing or creating aerosols containing influenza. It also be transmitted by direct contact with bird droppings or nasal secretions or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Influenza now spreads all over the world and it is also known as seasonal epidemics. In the 20th century three pandemics occurred (1918, 1957, 1968) caused by appearance of new strains in every case. An avian strain named H5N1 raised the concern of a new pandemic after it emerged in Asia in 1990s. After several years ‘swine flu’, also known as influenza A/ H1N1, emerged in Mexico, USA and several other nations.
Birincil Dil | İngilizce |
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Bölüm | Articles |
Yazarlar | |
Yayımlanma Tarihi | 6 Ocak 2015 |
Yayımlandığı Sayı | Yıl 2014 Cilt: 19 Sayı: 3 |