Flu virus naming

Influenza D viruses: They primarily affect cattle and does not infect or cause illness in people. The above graph clearly shows that only two types of influenza viruses namely A and B cause most human illness and are responsible for the flu season each year. As we know that seasonal influenza is characterised by sudden onset of fever, cough mainly dry , headache, muscle and joint pain, feeling of unwell, sore throat and a runny nose. It is also said that cough can be severe and can last for 2 or more weeks.

In fact, most of the people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without the need of medical attention. But for the people at high risk, influenza can be dangerous and can cause severe illness or death. Let us tell you that illness range from mild to severe and even death. According to WHO, in the whole world, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about to respiratory deaths.

Most of the deaths in industrialised countries are associated with influenza and occur among people age 65 or older. Seasonal influenza spreads easily with the rapid transmission in crowded areas like schools, nursing home, and markets.

As we know that when an infected person coughs or sneezes the droplets that contain virus are spread in the air and can even spread up to one meter, and infect persons who are close and also to those who breathe these droplets in. A virus can also spread by hands contaminated with influenza viruses. Therefore it is recommended to prevent transmission; people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly. In a temperate climate, seasonal epidemic mainly occurs during winter and in tropical regions, it can occur throughout the year.

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J Bacteriol. T cells primed by influenza virion internal components can cooperate in the antibody response to haemagglutinin. Heterogeneity of the cytotoxic response of thymus-derived lymphocytes after immunization with influenza viruses. Immunological characteristics of N. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. Age-related heterologous antibody responses to influenza virus vaccination.

J Infect Dis. Evidence for antigenic variation in influenza A nucleoprotein. Evolution of human influenza A viruses in nature: recombination contributes to genetic variation of H1N1 strains. Complete nucleotide sequence of an influenza virus haemagglutinin gene from cloned DNA. Analysis of antigenic drift in recently isolated influenza A H1N1 viruses using monoclonal antibody preparations.

But again, this is problematic. Apart from anything else, he points out that small numerical mistakes have a much bigger impact than linguistic ones. Makeshift wards and entirely new hospitals have been built in Wuhan, China, in just a few days as the city prepares for new coronavirus patients Credit: Getty Images. To avoid all these potential pitfalls, the WHO has published some guidelines , which suggest avoiding human, animal or place names altogether — and simply describing the symptoms a virus causes instead.

Incredibly, even this system has the potential to offend. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has a name entirely by the book. However, not everyone is so keen to avoid being associated with a virus; in some cases, naming can be a source of pride and comfort. Kuhn is aware of patients who have specifically asked to have a virus species named after them — seeing it as a small consolation prize, after all their suffering.

Regardless what we call a virus, giving it a name will not prevent its spread. Perhaps it would be better to put our petty squabbles aside, and focus on that instead. As an award-winning science site, BBC Future is committed to bringing you evidence-based analysis and myth-busting stories around the new coronavirus.

You can read more of our Covid coverage here. Join one million Future fans by liking us on Facebook , or follow us on Twitter or Instagram. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. The tricky politics of naming the new coronavirus.

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