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- If you have the flu, how long are you contagious? 1 day before symptoms appear and for 5-7 days after
- What causes seasonal influenza? Influenza virus A or B
- The influenza virus is constantly changing. What are the main mechanism(s) that cause these changes? Antigenic shift and antigenic drift
- Which other viruses present symptoms similar to influenza and circulate at the same time? Rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus
- In 2009, the H1N1 strain of influenza caused a global pandemic resulting in many serious illnesses and deaths. What type of change in the influenza virus happened in 2009 that made the seasonal influenza vaccine ineffective? Antigenic shift
- Which antigenic type(s) of influenza virus can affect humans? A, B and C
- What is not a common symptom of an influenza viral infection? Vomiting
- According to the CDC, how should rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) be confirmed to minimize false results? Sending respiratory samples for RT-PCR confirmation
- When is the peak influenza season? December through February
- Which influenza type is named based on the subtypes of its surface antigens H (hemagglutinin) and N (neuramindase)? Type A
Want to learn more about influenza? Check out these resources from CDC:
FAQ: Flu & Other Diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/faq/other-diseases.htm
Key Facts About Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
How the Flu Virus Can Change: Shift and Drift: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm
Types of Influenza Viruses: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm
Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/rapidclin.htm#table2