A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, producing seasonal epidemics nearly every year and, periodically, far more severe pandemics when a novel strain emerges with little population immunity, as in the 1918 to 1919 pandemic, estimated to have killed 50 million people or more worldwide, more than the First World War itself. The name derives from the Italian influenza, reflecting an old belief that outbreaks were under the influence of the stars; the term entered English usage following the widespread 1743 epidemic. The influenza virus itself was not isolated until 1933, by Wilson Smith, Christopher Andrewes and Patrick Laidlaw.
Facts
Condition Classinfectious, viral, acute 4 Causative AgentInfluenza virus (types A, B, C and D) 4 First DescribedMarks the first isolation of the influenza virus itself, by Wilson Smith, Christopher Andrewes and Patrick Laidlaw; influenza-like epidemics are recorded for centuries before the virus was identified. First Described (Era)The Italian term influenza was in use by the sixteenth century and entered English following the widespread 1743 epidemic. 5 PrevalenceSeasonal influenza epidemics are estimated by the World Health Organization to cause 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths worldwide each year. 6 Classification
ICD-10 ChapterI: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases 2 Communicable or Non-communicable Transmission Route Transmission Route Transmission Route Transmission RouteIndirect Contact / Fomite 3 Causative Agent
Causative Agent (category) Influenza
Filter Results6 entries
FAQs
How deadly was the 1918 to 1919 influenza pandemic?
An estimated 50 million people or more worldwide.
The 1918 to 1919 pandemic is estimated to have killed 50 million people or more worldwide, more than the First World War itself.
When was the influenza virus first isolated?
In 1933, by Wilson Smith, Christopher Andrewes and Patrick Laidlaw.
The influenza virus was not isolated until 1933, by Wilson Smith, Christopher Andrewes and Patrick Laidlaw.
Connections
Associated With
Source The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of HumanityRoy Porter
Treated By
Source Convalescent plasma (Wikipedia)
Source Decongestant (Wikipedia)
Source Influenza vaccine (Wikipedia)
Source Quarantine - Wikipedia
Source Treatment of influenza (Wikipedia)
Annual reformulated vaccines targeting the season's predicted circulating strains are the primary tool; effectiveness varies year to year with how closely the vaccine matches the strains actually circulating.
Source The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of HumanityRoy Porter
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Influenza
WikipediaLead section, body-system statement
Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue.
Lead section, body-system statement (respiratory)
Other complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and worsening of pre-existing health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Lead section, body-system statement (cardiovascular)
Other complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and worsening of pre-existing health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.
View the Source 2. Wikipedia: ICD-10
WikipediaList of chapters, Chapter IQuote, List of chapters, Chapter I
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
3. Wikidata: Influenza
WikidataWikidata P1060 (transmission-route: airborne)
Disease transmission process: airborne transmission
Wikidata P1060 (transmission-route: droplet)
Disease transmission process: droplet infection
Wikidata P1060 (transmission-route: direct-contact)
Disease transmission process: direct transmission
Wikidata P1060 (transmission-route: indirect-contact-fomite)
Disease transmission process: fomite transmission
View the Source 4. Encyclopaedia Britannica
5. The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity
Roy Porter, W. W. Norton and Company, 1997
6. World Health Organization Fact Sheets
Treatment of influenza (Wikipedia)
Treated By: Treatment of Influenza, Lead: treats InfluenzaQuote, Treated By: Treatment of Influenza, Lead: treats Influenza
Treatments for influenza include a range of medications and therapies that are used in response to disease influenza.
Influenza vaccine (Wikipedia)
Treated By: Influenza Vaccine, Lead - treats-conditionQuote, Treated By: Influenza Vaccine, Lead - treats-condition
Influenza vaccines, colloquially known as flu shots or flu jab, are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses.
Quarantine - Wikipedia
Treated By: Quarantine, East Samoa, 1918 (flu pandemic)Quote, Treated By: Quarantine, East Samoa, 1918 (flu pandemic)
During the 1918 flu pandemic, the then Governor of American Samoa, John Martin Poyer, imposed a full protective sequestration of the islands from all incoming ships, successfully preventing influenza from infecting the population and thus achieving zero deaths within the territory.
Convalescent plasma (Wikipedia)
Treated By: Convalescent Plasma, 1918 Influenza pandemicQuote, Treated By: Convalescent Plasma, 1918 Influenza pandemic
The Spanish influenza pandemic was the first pandemic in which convalescent plasma was used as a therapy.
Decongestant (Wikipedia)
Treated By: Decongestant Therapy, Lead (11602)Quote, Treated By: Decongestant Therapy, Lead (11602)
Decongestants are used to treat nasal congestion, for instance in allergies, infections like the common cold, influenza, and sinus infection, and nasal polyps.
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