Influenza is an acute, contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae, principally types A and B in humans. Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes according to their surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, such as H1N1, and maintain reserv…
Influenza is an acute, contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae, principally types A and B in humans. Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes according to their surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, such as H1N1, and maintain reservoirs in birds and mammals that create zoonotic and pandemic potential. The segmented RNA genome underlies two distinct modes of antigenic variation: antigenic drift, the gradual accumulation of point mutations that drives recurrent seasonal epidemics and necessitates periodic vaccine reformulation, and antigenic shift, the reassortment of gene segments that can generate novel strains capable of causing pandemics. Transmission occurs chiefly through respiratory droplets and contact, and clinical illness ranges from self-limited fever, myalgia, cough, and malaise to pneumonia and severe complications, particularly in high-risk groups. Prevention relies on vaccination to elicit protective, neutralizing antibody responses, supported by non-pharmaceutical interventions such as face masks and hygiene measures, the relevance of which has been underscored by co-circulation with other respiratory viruses. Outbreak management in congregate, high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities combines surveillance, vaccination, antiviral prophylaxis, and isolation. Serological surveillance further informs understanding of influenza in animal reservoirs. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research on seasonal outbreak control, zoonotic influenza, vaccination and immune responses, and non-pharmaceutical interventions.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 18 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Influenza, linking to each citing work.