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There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B and C.
Influenza A and B
viruses cause seasonal
epidemics of disease almost every winter in the
United States. Influenza type C infections
cause a mild respiratory illness
and are not thought to cause epidemics.
Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based
on two proteins on
the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (H)
and the neuraminidase (N).
There are 16 different hemagglutinin subtypes and 9 different neuraminidase
subtypes,
Influenza A viruses can be further broken down into different
strains.
The current subtypes of influenza A viruses found in people are A
(H1N1) and A (H3N2).
Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtypes.
Influenza B viruses
also can be further broken down into different strains.
Influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and influenza B strains
are included in
each year's influenza vaccine.
Getting a flu vaccine can protect against
influenza A and B viruses.
The flu vaccine does not protect against
influenza C viruses.
Scottsdale Flu Vaccination Locations
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