What kind of pathogen causes the flu?

Answer 1

Viruses cause flu. The Swine Flu virus is the Influenza Type A, Novel H1N1 virus (aka A-H1N1/09 virus). It is a sub-microscopic organism. Human Influenza refers to one of the three major types of flu viruses ( Influenza types A,B, and C) that are endemic to the human population. These are in the taxonomic family orthomyxoviridae.

The specific serotype/subtype of influenza virus that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic is A-H1N1/09. The following very specific virus has been most prevalent and was the one that has been used in the manufacture of the vaccines:

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus

Viruses also cause the common cold, viral "stomach flu" gastroenteritis, and the seasonal flu that comes around each year, plus mumps, measles, herpes and many other common infections.

Viruses aren't really alive like bacteria and other types of microorganisms, but they act alive since they can reproduce by using genetic material from the cells of the host.

A-H1N1/09 is a new mutation of human virus, first seen in 2009, containing genetic material from different viruses combined : three types of pig flu viruses, one avian "bird" flu virus, and one human influenza virus. The novel nature of "evolved" or combined viruses (known as reassortants) make it unlikely an individual will have a natural immunity to it when it first mutates into being.

Additional Note:

Not all scientists classify a virus as a "microbe". Most of them do for lack of a better way to talk about them instead of "germ" or other less specific nomenclature. Unlike the other organisms called microbes, they are not living organisms. They are specialized groups of "cells" that perform functions working in an organized way, but they latch on to and break into a living host's cells and use the life, energy, and nutrients from the host in an almost parasitic way. The genetic material that they have stored inside themselves combines with that of the host's cells to cause the host cells to stop reproducing more cells like itself for the host. Instead the virus instructs them to start making duplicate viruses like the one that invaded the host instead.

See the related questions below for more information about what caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic and what are the different types of microbes.

Answer 2

There are many different types of viruses that can cause flu. Examples- Rhinovirus, Coronavirus, etc.

Actually there are more than 200 viruses that can cause different types of flue which is why there are no vaccinations against flu. There are just too many viruses than can cause the infection.

Answer 3

Viruses cause the flu. There are many strains of viruses, causing different types of flu and their symptoms. For example, the respiratory flu and digestive flu are caused by different strains.

Answer 4

A virus