What Is Influenza B?

By james

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Viruses are not considered to be living things, according to who you ask. They are tiny packages of RNA or DNA in a protective shell and they are unable to reproduce on their own. To reproduce they need to hijack a host’s cells, implant their own RNA/DNA, and have the host cell produce new viruses for them. Although viruses are not strictly living, they still evolve just like other living organisms. As a result, there are numerous different types of virus, and also sub types. Some have evolved to be able to infect different species, including people. One type that many of us will be exposed to at some point is the influenza B virus. Viruses are not considered to be living things, according to who you ask. They are tiny packages of RNA or DNA in a protective shell and they are unable to reproduce on their own. To reproduce they need to hijack a host’s cells, implant their own RNA/DNA, and have the host cell produce new viruses for them.

Although viruses are not strictly living, they still evolve just like other living organisms. As a result, there are numerous different types of virus, and also sub types. Some have evolved to be able to infect different species, including people. One type that many of us will be exposed to at some point is the influenza B virus.

1. Influenza

Influenza, often simply referred to as ‘the flu’, is one of the most common diseases that people are likely to catch. In the past it used to be dangerous and it has been responsible for taking countless lives throughout history. Modern medicine has made it less of a threat to us, but still, it remains a threat to vulnerable people.

The flu is a type of respiratory infection, meaning it infects the lungs and the airways. In most people, the disease will be uncomfortable but it is not usually something to be overly concerned about. However, it is advised that vulnerable people have flu shots as recommended, and they should be monitored if they do have the disease.