We all know that influenza is the common flu that we experience every time that there is a seasonal transition, especially during the transition from summer to spring. However, it is not something that anyone in their right sense should take slightly. True that it is a repercussion of a seasonal change and the susceptibility of the body to fresher strains of disease causing germs and microbes, but that is not to say that you keep your defences low. Influenza has been known to take a huge form in a few countries within this twenty first decade with very serious and grave outcome, claiming the lives of millions of infected people. So, know more about your influenza and keep yourself safe.

This influenza has three categories of virus. In any infection only any one can be functional although rare cases are known in which all three or any two have been combined functional in bringing about the illness. These three varieties of the flu virus are the Influenzavirus A, the influenzavirus B and the influenzavirus C. now, it is to be kept in mind that birds and human beings share a common property when it comes to influenza. Incidentally, the viruses which cause flu in humans, also cause flu in birds. Infact, the whole bunch of Orthomyxoviridae cause influenza in all mammals and all birds. Therefore, contact with an infected bird is also harmful for a healthy human and may lead to infection.

Now, aquatic birds, like ducks and geese and other types are highly responsible for the transmission of the influenzavirus A. They are a big host for the same although many a times they do not get infected by the same. However, that is no guarantee that others would not be infected. Many a times it has so happened that all domestic poultry and other household animals have been infected with the flu leading to further infection among human beings and creating a pandemonic like situation. It is no comfort to know that the virus is, till date, the most virulent and the most harmful of all the viruses of flu. The biggest problem is that, the virus can evolve and form newer strains which come with double immunity of their own and then treatment becomes impossible and difficult because all symptoms and everything are like normal flu but due to different DNA combination, our drugs are less effective on them. This virus A has in fact three different strains to its credit, each worse than the other.

The influenza B virus has, however, only a single strain and does not affect anyone other than human beings. Although it is also quite harmful, it is not as common as the A variety. Also, the absence of many strains ensures that your body has all the proper defences in place against it.

The C variety is the most rare in occurrence and causes infection in pigs and humans as well as dogs. Severe outbreaks and illnesses can be caused by this while children are only mildly attacked by it.