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influenza
(in″floo-en´zә)
an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, occurring in isolated cases, epidemics, and pandemics. Three different
genera of viruses have been discovered that cause influenza, called Influenzavirus A, B, and C. Influenza A is the most common condition, accounting for the well-known pandemics. Influenza B and influenza C occur in sporadic epidemics among children and young adults. Most older adults carry antibodies against influenza because
of repeated exposure to the viruses. Influenza has a short incubation period. Symptoms appear suddenly, and although the virus
enters the respiratory tract it soon affects the entire body. The symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough,
gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle pain, and neuralgia. Called also flu. adj., influen´zal., adj.
avian influenza
a highly contagious viral disease of birds caused by an influenza A virus; it occurs in both mild and severe forms. It may
be transmitted to humans through contact with bird droppings or surfaces contaminated by them or through intermediate hosts
such as pigs. Person-to-person transmission appears to be rare. Symptoms in humans range from typical influenzalike symptoms
to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and other severe and life-threatening complications. The only means
of control when avian influenza has been observed in a flock of domestic fowl is destruction of infected birds and disinfection
of the farm.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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