https://www.cdc.gov/flu/images.htm

• How is a sugar part of the influenza ('flu') virus infection cycle?  
  • Its reproduction relies on a type of sugar receptor on the surface of human cells called sialic acid 
  • This sugar is a key component that helps influenza virus particles attach and enter human cells and start its reproduction

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• This website was created to inform and educate students about the critical role that sialic acid plays in the influenza virus infection cycle
• ​Viral proteins, symptoms, flu drugs and flu vaccines are also examined​

The interaction of influenza viruses with sialic acid receptors
on human cells is a critical step in the infection cycle.