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The truth is, no one really knows. Flu strains are mutating all of the time. Each time a flu strain mutates to act in a different way, it is given another name (if we actually discover it and can recognize that it is different). The other problem is discovery. Often, different strains act in the same way. Therefore, it isn't really important to distinguish between strains. Only strains that seem to 1) be popular in the next flu season or 2) pose a great threat to humans are actually identified.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIf the question is asking how many strains there are of flu viruses, then unfortunately there is not an exact count. Flu viruses mutate regularly and often so as soon as you count one, it may have changed into another one, or more than one new one, the count is perpetually increasing and decreasing. Some go undiscovered as different, and since treatment and symptoms are usually the same, there are usually no reasons to do tests to differentiate or name them all. Lets just say there are gazillions.
If you are asking how many stains there are for microbiologists to use when visualizing viruses under an electron microscope, there are also many stains and many methods of using the stains. See the related links below for more information.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNone, influenza is caused by a virus.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago217
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Why do you not become immune to flu?
There are many strains of flu virus, & they are constantly mutating; you can only become immune to strains of flu that your body has already encountered, or that you have been immunized against.
Why does influenza virus cause recurrent infections?
The influenza virus doesn't always cause recurrent infections. There are many different strains of the flu and there are two types, which are Type A ad Type B. The flu is a virus that has to run its course.
Vaccines against the flu are different every year why is this?
The most prevelent strains of the flu are used to develop the vaccines. These may not be the same strains as the year before. Also, the flu symptoms change due to the atmosphere and climate.
What kind of pathogen causes the flu?
Viruses cause flu. The swine flu virus is the Influenza Type A, Novel H1N1 virus (aka A-H1N1/09 virus). It is a sub-microscopic organism. Human Influenza refers to one of the three major types of flu viruses ( Influenza types A,B, and C) that are endemic to the human population. These are in the taxonomic family orthomyxoviridae.The specific serotype/subtype of influenza virus that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic is A-H1N1/09. The following very specific virus has been most prevalent and was the one that has been used in the manufacture of the vaccines:A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virusViruses also cause the common cold, viral "stomach flu" gastroenteritis, and the seasonal flu that comes around each year, plus mumps, measles, herpes and many other common infections.Viruses aren't really alive like bacteria and other types of microorganisms, but they act alive since they can reproduce by using genetic material from the cells of the host.A-H1N1/09 is a new mutation of human virus, first seen in 2009, containing genetic material from different viruses combined : three types of pig flu viruses, one avian "bird" flu virus, and one human influenza virus. The novel nature of "evolved" or combined viruses (known as reassortants) make it unlikely an individual will have a natural immunity to it when it first mutates into being.Additional Note:Not all scientists classify a virus as a "microbe". Most of them do for lack of a better way to talk about them instead of "germ" or other less specific nomenclature. Unlike the other organisms called microbes, they are not living organisms. They are specialized groups of "cells" that perform functions working in an organized way, but they latch on to and break into a living host's cells and use the life, energy, and nutrients from the host in an almost parasitic way. The genetic material that they have stored inside themselves combines with that of the host's cells to cause the host cells to stop reproducing more cells like itself for the host. Instead the virus instructs them to start making duplicate viruses like the one that invaded the host instead.See the related questions below for more information about what caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic and what are the different types of microbes.
Flu virus gestation?
How long does it take from contact with the flu virus to showing symptoms?
How many different virus strains does the 2013-2014 seasonal live attenuated influenza vaccine have?
Typically the flu vaccine is trivalent, with three strains.
Why do you not become immune to flu?
There are many strains of flu virus, & they are constantly mutating; you can only become immune to strains of flu that your body has already encountered, or that you have been immunized against.
Why does influenza virus cause recurrent infections?
The influenza virus doesn't always cause recurrent infections. There are many different strains of the flu and there are two types, which are Type A ad Type B. The flu is a virus that has to run its course.
Why do you catch flu more than once?
Because there are many strains of flu virus, so unless you have immunity to them all you will catch flu again.
Which of these is caused by a virus flu warts mumps?
The flu, warts and mumps are all caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by any of the influenza viruses, warts are caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus, and mumps are caused by the mumps virus.
What are the two strains of the virus that cause Swine Flu?
There is currently only one strain of influenza virus that causes pandemic Swine Flu. It is called A-H1N1/09. There have been previous strains of H1N1 that were similar, and some were even called Swine Flu, but they were different than that which causes the Swine Flu of the 2009 pandemic. See related questions below.
Why must pharmaceutical companies develop flu vaccines every year?
Influenza is an RNA virus. Being that it is an RNA virus it has a high rate of mutation that goes unchecked. This high rate of mutation leads to different strains of the influenza virus
Should you get swine flu are you in risk of getting it again?
No, if you have it you will be immune to it after that. However, viruses are able to mutate to slightly different strains rapidly. If that happens and you are exposed, you may still have some immunity, but you may not, in which case you could get the flu from a similar but different form of the virus.
What is an immunization commonly known as a flu shot given to prevent?
A flu shot will prevent the type of influenza virus or viruses that have been used to make the vaccine. A,nd it may sometimes protect against a different, but very similar, strain.
Why doesn't a flu jab protect you for life?
A flu vaccination is only good for the season because the flu virus changes over time. Without getting into the technical details of how it works, a virus can adapt and change over time by gaining new genetic traits, making it a completely different 'virus' that causes the same disease, but is genetically different than the one before it. Because of this, a vaccination of the old flu virus will not last for life. An old flu vaccination will protect against the original, but the new strand is basically 'unknown' to your body and will cause infection.
What are the types of Flu?
there are dozens of types. look em up <== (this answer is wrong) There are 3 types of flu called A, B and C. There are many different strains of each type.
Vaccines against the flu are different every year why is this?
The most prevelent strains of the flu are used to develop the vaccines. These may not be the same strains as the year before. Also, the flu symptoms change due to the atmosphere and climate.
