Why does the flu keep coming back every year?

Question

I know the flu keeps changing and producing new strands, but where is this new strand being developed. And how long has this been happening (when did this flu virus start to occur)

Answer 1

Viruses are mutating every day. They are developed in the human body and are affected by the antibiotics and other chemical reactions that shape their constitution. There have been flu viruses around for over 100 years, with nasty epidemics killing many people in the 1700s and 1800s. Every time we get a new medication to fight the flu, it becomes resistant to it and it becomes stronger and able to fight off the antibiotics. This is made worse by people w ho quit taking their antibiotics and save a few doses "for the next time". This means not all the viral germs are killed and they become resistant to the antibiotics. This is where MRSA and VRE came into being. They are called "superbugs" and are very difficult to cure and are very contagious. People should always take the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by their doctors. They are only setting themselves up for a nastier infection the second time around by not completing the regimen.

Answer 2

The virus responsible undergo antigenic variation frequently, Two surface antigens present on the virus: hemagglutinin and neuramidase undergo variations which are responsible for the formation of new strains. This is a unique feature of the influenza virus.
When this flu virus started,i don't know but this name has been given by Italians during the epidemics of 1743. But modern history of flu dates it from the pandemic of 1889-1890, during which Haemophilus Influenzae was isolated.

Answer 3

There are many viruses that cause many influenzas. None of them "go away", people just build tolerances to them or develop them from vaccines. New vaccines are needed every year because those viruses to which we develop immunities then develop mutations. The more common "flu" comes from older viruses that mutate slowly and in a predictable fashion.
Pandemics occur when viruses mutate rapidly and unpredictably into a disease against which we have no immunities and for which there is no vaccine.

Answer 4

The strands dont change by themselves... it is something that happens when we use medications to fight the flu... while it is fighting the vaccine/respawning/getting damaged... it can still be transmitted to others. With the damage and respawning occuring, as well as a "knowledge" of the vaccine, it repairs itself to be more resistant to that vaccine, and when it splits all strands that come off of it are also resistant.

Answer 5

We might have walked on the moon, but we never managed to combat flu successfully!

Answer 6

because you don't get the flu shot!

Answer 7

it never really leaves.
the virus just remains dormant