Influenza Archives - Page 5 of 8

(All Images are for Editorial Use Only)

This negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the presence of a number of Hong Kong flu virus virions, the H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus. This virus is a Orthomyxoviridae virus family member, and was responsible for the flu pandemic of 1968-1969, which infected an estimated 50,000,000 people in the United States, killing 33,000. Note the proteinaceous coat, or capsid, surroundind each virion, and the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase spikes, which differ in terms of their molecular make-up from strain to strain.

There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.

This negative-stained transmission electron micograph (TEM) depicted a number of influenza A virions.

There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. Human influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease almost every winter in the United States. The emergence of a new and very different influenza virus to infect people can cause an influenza pandemic. Influenza type C infections cause a mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics. For a colorized version of this image see PHIL 11702.

Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). There are 16 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 9 different neuraminidase subtypes. Influenza A viruses can be further broken down into different strains. Current subtypes of influenza A viruses found in people are influenza A (H1N1) and influenza A (H3N2) viruses. In the spring of 2009, a new influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged to cause illness in people. This virus was very different from regular human influenza A (H1N1) viruses and the new virus has caused an influenza pandemic.

Influenza

Indian Female Nurse Giving Nasal Spray Vaccine to a Patient

Indian Woman Receiving a Nasal Spray Vaccine

Mexican American Woman Receiving a Nasal Spray Vaccinie

Asian American Man Receiving a Nasal Spray Vaccinie

African American Male Nurse Giving a Nasal Spray Vaccinie to Asian American Man

Hispanic Female Nurse Giving Nasal Spray Vaccine to African American Patient

Hong Kong Flu Virus Virions (H3N2 Subtype)

Influenza A Virions

Haemophilus Influenzae

Blood agar plate culture of Haemophilus Influenzae