What microbe is the spanish influenza?

Answer 1

The flu (influenza), is caused by influenza viruses. There are three types of influenza viruses, designated Type A, B, and C. Types A and B are common types of seasonal flu in humans, while C is less frequent in humans. Influenza A is the type of flu virus which gives rise to all worldwide pandemics seen every once in a while, such as 'Spanish flu' after the First World War and 'Swine flu' H1N1/09 which we've seen recently.

Some scientists technically do not characterize viruses as living micro-organisms because they are actually sub-microscopic and do not carry out the full range of processes which define a living organism. The study of viruses (virology) is commonly categorized under microbiology (the study of micro-organisms) which can be confusing. They are completely dependent on a living host in order to replicate since they are not technically "alive" and do not have the materials and processes to do their own reproduction.

Answer 2

Spanish Influenza was announced a germ back in 1918. In this time people did not know about virus so they could only blame what they knew; germs.=Spanish Influenza is really a virus but can also be known as a germ.=

Answer 3

Influenza belongs to a group of microbes** called 'Viruses'. There are either RNA or DNA-containing viruses. There is genetic material of small single or double-stranded RNA or DNA in viruses which they insert into the cells of the host that they infect. There is only one type of genetic sequence (DNA or RNA) in one 'particle' of a virus, never both. Sometimes viruses carry a portion of a cell membrane. Influenza viruses contain RNA sequences.

Seasonal influenza is caused by three types of influenza viruses: influenzavirus Types A, B, and C. Swine Flu is an influenzavirus Type A, for example. Within each type there are mutations, variations, and countless numbers of strains and subtypes of the flu pathogen. The influenza viruses come from the family Orthomyxoviridae.

A virion (viral particle) of an influenza virus has an outer capsid (coat) made of proteins to protect the genetic material. They use the host's cells' systems and materials to replicate copies of themselves. Viral particles are extremely small in size. Sizes are in between 10 nano meters to 100 nano meters. They can not grow or multiply outside the living cells.

When influenza enters the cell, it enters the nucleus. This is in contrast to most viruses, which remain in the cell cytoplasm. (another noted exception is the HIV virus.)

Influenza outbreaks and epidemics are common throughout the world. And many pandemics are also mentioned in history. Pandemics of influenza have all been caused by Type A influenza viruses. Seasonal influenza kills more people than any other viruses. It is estimated that approximately 36,000 people die of influenza each year in the US alone. This is a reason why all who can, should get vaccinated against the flu with the seasonal flu vaccines each year.

People often fear 'bird flu' or 'swine flu' due to news media coverage. But they infect a very small percentage of people as compared to seasonal influenza. Avian "Bird" flu typically does not spread from person to person, however of those who contract this type of flu, up to 50-60% of them die. Swine flu easily spreads, but is much less virulent with fewer percentages of deaths per number infected.

There are vaccines available to prevent the flu. However, the mutations of the viruses and their proteins on the capsid can allow the new versions of the virus to bypass the protection that prior vaccines have provided. This is why new vaccines must be developed from time to time, such as with the brand new H1N1/09 that caused the "swine flu" pandemic in 2009, these types of influenza viruses mutated beyond our bodies' ability to recognize them as the same. It is also why the types and subtypes of seasonal influenza vaccines must be selected and often changed from year to year, based on epidemiological evidence in other parts of the world that year.

Once you have been infected by a particular 'strain' of virus the acquired immunity can be life-long, although some recent studies have suggested that there is some loss of immunity over time.

Some common symptoms of flu virus infections are fever, rigors (chills), headaches, body aches, fatigue, malaise, weakness, runny nose, coughs, sneezes and scratchy throat, but not all people experience all symptoms. The symptoms can last for 7 - 10 days and are usually more severe during the first 3 - 4 days after symptoms appear. Some people have complications of the flu such as secondary pneumonia (viral or bacterial pneumonia) or other bacterial infections. These are often in countries where air pollution is common and severe, but not always.

Antiviral drugs for treating different kinds of influenza usually do not prevent infection, but can shorten the duration and lessen the severity of the signs and symptoms, especially if started within the first 40-48 hours after symptoms begin. There are currently 4 types of antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: Amantadine, Rimantadine, Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir. While most swine influenza (A-H1N1) viruses have been susceptible to these drugs, the most recent swine-flu viruses isolated from humans in 2009 (A-H1N1/09), are resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. Amantadine is shorter acting and excreted unchanged in the urine and Rimantadine is longer acting, extensively metabolized and also excreted in the urine.

**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, viruses 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 themselves for the host. Instead, the virus instructs the host cells to start making duplicate viruses like the one that invaded the host.

Answer 4

Yes. The specific type of micro-organism is viral. Colds are usually caused by rhinoviruses or coronaviruses, but there are over 200 viruses that can cause the common cold and each of them can mutate quickly into new forms.

The flu is caused by many different influenza viruses, like the pandemic Swine Flu is caused by Influenza Type A H1N1/09, the Asian flu was caused by H2N2 that evolved into H3N2 influenza viruses, etc. The family of viruses that cause the flu is called Orthomyxoviridae.

They enter your body mostly through mucus membrane tissue. Virtually all infection is through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Thus, touching an infected person or surface and then rubbing or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth is an excellent method of contracting the virus, as is being sneezed or coughed upon by an infected individual which allows the virus to get on those mucus tissues.

Answer 5

Microorganisms that causes influenza are by viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family. These virus cells will attach or go inside of its host cell of an animal or plant.

Answer 6

The Spanish influenza, which caused the 1918 flu pandemic, was caused by the H1N1 influenza virus.

Answer 7

Hugo