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Influenza B virus

Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Symptoms

Diagnostics
Prevention

The structure of the influenza B virus virion is similar to that of the influenza A virus. The genome consists of 8 fragments encoding 3 nonstructural and 7 structural proteins. Several serovariants are distinguished by the antigenic properties of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The process of antigenic drift is less pronounced than in virus A. Influenza B viruses are the culprits of local outbreaks and epidemics; they do not cause pandemics.

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Symptoms of flu B

Symptoms of influenza B are the same as those of influenza A.

Diagnosis of influenza B

Laboratory diagnostics of influenza B is the same; the virus is differentiated serologically.

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How to prevent influenza B?

Specific prevention of influenza B is carried out in the same way as against influenza A.