Definition

Noun: A type of RNA virus that includes the viruses responsible for influenza (the flu). These viruses are characterized by their ability to infect the respiratory tract of vertebrates, including humans, birds, and other animals.

Usage

The term is used in scientific and medical contexts to classify a specific family of viruses. * The influenza virus is the most well-known orthomyxovirus. * Researchers study the genetic structure of the orthomyxovirus family to develop effective vaccines.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: In virology, 'Orthomyxoviridae' is the formal family name. An orthomyxovirus is any member of this family, which includes genera like , , , and .
• Technical Characteristics: An orthomyxovirus is often described by its segmented, single-stranded RNA genome and its envelope, which contains glycoprotein spikes like hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Variants and Related Words

• Orthomyxoviridae (n): The scientific family name for this group of viruses.
• Paramyxovirus (n): A related but distinct family of viruses (e.g., causing measles, mumps) often discussed in contrast to orthomyxoviruses.

Synonyms

• Influenza virus (Note: This is a specific type of orthomyxovirus, not a perfect synonym for the entire family)

Noun

1. a group of viruses including those causing influenza