Influenza Virus

Explain the terms antigenic shift and antigenic drift.

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Introduction Influenza viruses are notorious for their ability to change and evolve over time. Two key mechanisms responsible for these changes are antigenic shift and antigenic drift. Both processes affect the surface proteins of the virus—mainly hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA)—which are critical for immune recognition. These changes can impact vaccine effectiveness and may lead […]

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Describe the replication cycle of Influenza virus.

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Introduction The influenza virus is an enveloped RNA virus that causes the flu, a highly contagious respiratory illness. It belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae family and exists in several types, including Influenza A, B, and C, with Influenza A being the most common and virulent. Understanding the replication cycle of the influenza virus is critical for

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