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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth on your hand.

References
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swine influenza A (H1N1) infection in two children — Southern California, March-April 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2009;58:400. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5815a5.htm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010.
  2. World Health Organization. World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic. Statement to the press by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010.
  3. World Health Organization. H1N1 in post-pandemic period. Director-General's opening statement at virtual press conference. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2010/h1n1_vpc_20100810/en/index.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2010.
  4. Watts G. A/H1N1 influenza virus: The basics. British Medical Journal. 2009;339:b3046. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/jul24_2/b3046. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010.
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Background information on influenza in pigs. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/. Accessed Aug. 19, 2010.
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key facts about influenza (flu) and flu vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2010.
  7. Weber TP, et al. Inactivation of influenza A viruses in the environment and modes of transmission: A critical review. Journal of Infection. 2008;51:361.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJT-4TMRJXX-2&_user=130561&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000010878&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=130561&md5=0b189b39929f3ee6cdc2ca1371fd1e0c. Accessed Aug. 19, 2010.
  8. Bean B, et al. Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1982;146:47.
DS01144 Sept. 8, 2010

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