Influenza

Influenza, also known as the Flu is a potentially life-threatening illness. The Flu is a
contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by Influenza viruses that attack the body
and spreading through the upper and or lower respiratory tract.
Three different types of Influenza viruses infect humans: Influenza Type-A, -B and -C. Only
Influenza Type-A and -B cause major outbreaks and sever symptoms.
Influenza A and B viruses have two main proteins on the outside of the virus called the
Haemagglutinin (H); and the Neuraminidase (N) proteins. These proteins are referred to as
“Antigens”. New strains of the Influenza A and B continually emerge because of the
tendency of these H and N antigens to change. While Influenza B is essentially a human
disease, Influenza A viruses are found in many animal species. There are over 16 distinct
forms or subtypes of Influenza B.
Influenza can protentional cause serious infection and death around the globe usually in the
winter months. Due to some pre-existing immunity to the seasonal strains of the Flu, most
people only suffer a mild illness, lasting from a few days to several weeks.
Influenza can lead to complications for some people like the elderly, people with poor
immune systems and people with pre-existing respiratory, cardiac and endocrine disease.
Influenza can cause death. It can has been known to cause the death of healthy adults and
children.

References:
 https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/what-is-flu#1
 www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/about-pandemic-wh
 https://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Influenza/what-is.aspx