Influenza B: Symptoms, Causes and Risks
There are three types of influenza viruses that infect humans. These are designated A, B, and C. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, types A and B can produce serious illness and cause epidemics, while type C causes only mild respiratory infections and are not thought to cause epidemics.
The annual flu shots currently contain three different strains of influenza virus, two for type A and one for type B.
Influenza B viruses are the predominant circulating strain approximately one out of three years, according to Dr. David Jackson and colleagues in the UK. These get less publicity than the type A viruses that also infect birds and swine. The natural reservoir of animal infection gives influenza A the potential for pandemic infection, when new strains emerge from their animal hosts and jump to humans.
Type B has no known animal host, and less potential for pandemics.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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