Viral Ecology & Pathology

Influenza virus is transmitted from person to person in droplets released by sneezing and coughing. Some of the inhaled virus lands in the lower respiratory tract. The cough may be persistent but the most prominent symptoms of influenza are systemic: fever, muscle aches.

Vaccines: Isolated HA gives good serological protection (estimated at 60-80%). Vaccines are produced by reassortment of egg-adapted strains with the required HA type. Large amounts of virus are then grown in embryonated eggs, being purified and formalin inactivated. The amount of doses given to a patient depends on the age of patient.

Picture extracted: http://www.microbiologybytes.com/virology/Orthomyxoviruses.html

References to text (Orthomyxoviruses)http://www.ipedia.net/information/Orthomyxoviridae http://www.microbiologybytes.com/virology/Orthomyxoviruses.html