www.wjpr.net │ Vol 11, Issue 15, 2022. │ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Journal │ Kanna et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 556 AN UPDATE ON INFLUENZA - A DEADLY SEASONAL VIRAL INFECTION D. E. Nirman Kanna 1 *, Subbulakshmi Packirisamy M.Sc.,(PhD.) 2 , Deepa Rajendiran, PhD. 3 and Pyary Joy MSc., (PhD.) 4 1 Perfusionist, Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West KK Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. 2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West KK Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. 3 Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Madha Dental College and Hospital, Kundrathur, Chennai 4 Assistant Professor (Medical Physiology), Welcare College of Nursing, Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), Kerala. ABSTRACT Background: Influenza (Flu) is one of the most common infectious diseases which is a highly contagious airborne disease that occurs in seasonal epidemics and manifests as an acute febrile illness with variable degrees of systemic symptoms, it ranges from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death. Influenza can be defined as the acute contagious respiratory infection, which is caused by orthomyxoviruses A, B, and C, occurs in local outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. Influenza causes severe effects on human mankind, which include significant loss of workdays, human suffering, and mortality. The flu virus can spread from person to person via respiratory secretions. Flu spreads when a person inhales a droplet in the air that contains the flu virus, makes direct contact with respiratory secretions via sharing utensils, or handles items contaminated by an infected person. The flu virus on the skin can infect the person when they touch or rub their eyes, nose, or mouth. Influenza A is virulent, Influenza B is mild, and Influenza C is World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 8.084 Volume 11, Issue 15, 556-566. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105 *Corresponding Author D. E. Nirman Kanna Perfusionist, Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West KK Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Article Received on 12 Sept. 2022, Revised on 02 Oct. 2022, Accepted on 22 Oct. 2022 DOI: 10.20959/wjpr202215-26046