Understanding Influenza Virus Types

If you are a person who is worried about contracting the flu during the next flu season, then you will want to get a better understanding of the various influenza virus types that are out there and how they work to invade the body. If you find yourself with an influenza virus infection, even after a flu shot, you will be able to understand why this has happened.

Getting An Influenza Virus

If you come down with the flu, you know how you will struggle with feeling weak, feverish and overall aches and pains. The flu can last a few days to two weeks, and should be treated by a doctor within the first forty-eight hours of symptoms appearing.

You may wonder why some people, even though they have had their yearly flu shot, are still contracted the illness. It is because of the influenza virus type. There are two major different influenza virus types. One, type A, is a virus that is carried by wild birds and can easily be contracted by humans. This influenza virus type also has the ability to change strains. While changing strains creates new strains, this influenza virus type changes strains slowly. Doctors and researchers should monitor this so that they will be ready for the new changes in the strains.

The second influenza virus type is type B. Type B is also a strain of flu that can change, but this strain changes much more rapidly. A type B strain of the flu is the most common reason that people still get the flu even if they have had their yearly flu shot. In order for a flu shot to be ready before the flu season hits, the doctors and researchers must have the batches of vaccine ready to go months before the season hits. If there is a type B strain that changes after the vaccines are made, then the new strain will not be covered by the flu shot that year. But even though one or two types may not be covered, it is still very important for everyone to get their flu shot every year. If you skip a year you will not be protected from the current influenza strains that are most prominent in our society.

To protect you, your family and all those at risk, you should always get your flu shot when your doctor recommends it. Make sure that if you are an infant, pregnant or over 65 years of age, you will want to be one of the first people to get your flu shot next year.