The flu has become one of the most talked about viruses in the United States due to the widespread effects of it, as well as the vaccine which is highly recommended every year. The influenza virus (or the flu as it is more commonly known) causes serious sickness and large numbers of deaths every year. Signs and symptoms, according to the CDC, can include a fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, runny nose, and fatigue. The flu is much more commonly fatal in young children or the elderly due to weaker immune systems. However, the flu can occur in anyone at any age, and the dangers remain for young and old alike.
On a more detailed level, the influenza virus is a single-strand RNA virus which has four different types known as A. B, C, and D, according to an article by Asim Biwas and others. The most common strands of the virus to affect humans are the A and B viruses. One of the most difficult things about the flu virus is that it mutates and changes every year. In turn, this means that a new vaccine must be developed for each season of the virus in order to protect individuals from coming in contact with the illness. Furthermore, this means the effectiveness of the vaccine can differ depending on the year. There are so many strains of the virus, so doctors and biologist have to decide each year which strains seem to be the most prevalent, and then vaccinate people according to this data. Either way, studies have shown that it is still very important to get the vaccine because it can lessen signs and symptoms of the virus if you still happen to get it. There are also more antibodies and T-cells produced against the flu virus when you get the vaccine, which also help you fight infection even if you get the virus.
The World Health Organization is in charge of studying the influenza virus for each specific year to watch and make changes to the current vaccines. The WHO specifically looks at surface glycoproteins because these play a role in the influenza virus’ ability to enter a cell. It is still too early to tell if the flu vaccine for the 2019-2020 year is very effective. The specific vaccination recommendations have remained very similar, so there are similar requirements for protection in this new year. Furthermore, data reported from the 2017-2018 year shows that “the flu vaccine prevented an estimated 7 million illnesses.”
What does this mean for you and me? Find the nearest doctor’s office or drugstore, and go protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu!
Emma's Microbiology Blog 