What is seasonal influenza (flu)?
Seasonal influenza (commonly known as “the flu”) is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A and B viruses and occurs in Canada every year, generally during late fall and the winter months. Influenza A viruses are the most common cause of annual influenza epidemics. Outbreaks of influenza B are generally more localized and in any year may be restricted to one region of the country. What are the symptoms of influenza infection? Influenza in general is an acute viral disease of the respiratory tract characterized by almost always: cough and fever. Common symptoms also include: fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, decreased appetite, runny nose. Uncommon symptoms may include: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In most patients, recovery occurs within 2 to 7 days. What is the pandemic H1N1-2009 virus? The pandemic H1N1-2009 virus (H1N1-2009) is a novel influenza virus causing illness in people. It is a triple reassortment virus, meaning that it contains genetic material fr
