Influenza is a lower respiratory illness and the several types include types A, B, and C. Their differences are a result of varying nucleoprotein antigens. Although no one is truly immune to catching the flu, certain groups of people such as infants, elderly, pregnant women, and people who are traveling abroad are at increased risk for catching the flu due to varying factors such as weaker immune systems or greater contact and exposure to pathogens (due to exposure in more crowded places such as elementary schools, nursing homes, and airplanes). However, the influenza endemic also occurs amongst birds, seals, horses, and pigs.
The incubation period for the virus is approximately 2 days, however the disease can remain in the host and symptoms may never emerge. During this period, the host can pass along the virus to another susceptible host via sneezing, coughing, or coming into contact with another infected surface. The infected droplet is inhaled by the host (either orally or through the nasal passage) and then carried to the lungs. Then the hemmagglutinn of the influenza attaches to cell receptors on the ciliated epithelium- in a lock and key mechanism- and then viruses enters into the cell. Then we see the host cell begins to produce more of the viral nucleoproteins and eventually the cell gets destroyed and the virus is released as it matures. Secondary infections can be spread to ears, sinuses, and lungs. Symptoms of influenza include fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle soreness.
The incubation period for the virus is approximately 2 days, however the disease can remain in the host and symptoms may never emerge. During this period, the host can pass along the virus to another susceptible host via sneezing, coughing, or coming into contact with another infected surface. The infected droplet is inhaled by the host (either orally or through the nasal passage) and then carried to the lungs. Then the hemmagglutinn of the influenza attaches to cell receptors on the ciliated epithelium- in a lock and key mechanism- and then viruses enters into the cell. Then we see the host cell begins to produce more of the viral nucleoproteins and eventually the cell gets destroyed and the virus is released as it matures. Secondary infections can be spread to ears, sinuses, and lungs. Symptoms of influenza include fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle soreness.
Due to antigenic shifts, and the accumulation of subtle changes in the influenza gene virus, different strains of the virus can occur as a result of a new hemmagglutinn that allows the viral cell to trickle past the immune system unrecognized. These changes in viral strains are one of the primary factors that cause influenza to reemerge as an epidemic in human populations all throughout the world.
According to the CDC, Influenza A (31 % of all cases) and B (44%) viruses were most prevalent in Africa, while in South America influenza A (32%) and influenza B (32%) were predominantly found, and in North America, 69% of influenza cases were identified as being influenza A viruses (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5939a3.htm).
Although influenza is a very morbid disease and it is estimated to cause up to 40,000 deaths annually in the US alone (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm), along with other severe health complications, it is preventable.
The first method of prevention is vaccination- a method that has an approximate 80-90% efficacy rate for sixth months, according to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm).
In my opinion the next best method for preventing the influenza virus would be to monitor viral exposure by continually washing one's hands, avoiding crowded, confined places during flu season, and the continual sanitation of infectious fomites such as desk, counter tops, door knobs, etc.
Treatment of the influenza virus includes oral antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Rapivab that are effective against influenza type A and B. Other treatments recommended for treating the symptoms and severity of influenza A include Rimantadine and Amantadine.
The first method of prevention is vaccination- a method that has an approximate 80-90% efficacy rate for sixth months, according to the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm).
In my opinion the next best method for preventing the influenza virus would be to monitor viral exposure by continually washing one's hands, avoiding crowded, confined places during flu season, and the continual sanitation of infectious fomites such as desk, counter tops, door knobs, etc.
Treatment of the influenza virus includes oral antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Rapivab that are effective against influenza type A and B. Other treatments recommended for treating the symptoms and severity of influenza A include Rimantadine and Amantadine.
Disease management of influenza includes both managing the spread of disease and preventing its onset. The CDC recommends that all persons 6 months and older get an annual influenza vaccination (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/219557-treatment). This would help minimize the spread of the influenza virus, and (hopefully) subsequently prevent the spread of the virus throughout the population.
No comments:
Post a Comment