1 - Influenza Flashcards
What is influenza?
Contagious viral respiratory illness
What are the 3 types of the influenza virus?
A, B, and C
Which types of influenza can cause disease in humans? Which causes the majority of disease?
Types A and B; type A causes about 90% of influenza
What are different subtypes of influenza A based on?
Surface hemagglutinin (HA) or neurominidase (NA) glycoproteins
What are the primary subtypes of influenza A affecting humans?
H3N2 and H1N1
____ is the most effective way to prevent influenza infection
Vaccination
Describe how influenza spreads
- Respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing are transferred to surfaces
- Uninfected person touches a surface w/ influenza on it and then touches their mouth or nose
How long are people infected w/ influenza contagious?
1 day before symptoms develop and 5-10 days after symptoms develop
What is the typical incubation period for influenza?
1 to 4 days (average 2 days)
The current vaccine for influenza is ___valent
Quadrivalent
What are the early symptoms of influenza?
- Fever (usually very high)
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Non-productive cough
- Malaise
- Sore throat
- Rhinitis
How long does it take early symptoms of influenza to resolve?
Usually about 1 week; cough and malaise may persist for more than 2 weeks
What are some symptoms of influenza that rarely occur from the common cold?
- Fever
- Headache
- Aches and pains
- Weakness
- Bedridden
What are some symptoms of the common cold that rarely occur from influenza?
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Sneezing
What are some complications of influenza?
- Respiratory failure, especially w/ chronic conditions (ex: asthma)
- Pneumonia or other secondary bacterial infections
- Dehydration
- Worsening of concurrent medical conditions
- Viral myocarditis (*rare)
What are some complications of the common cold?
- Congestion
- Sinus or ear infection
What is most likely to cause hospitalization when infected w/ influenza?
Viral pneumonitis
____ and _____ increase during flu season
Acute coronary syndromes and exacerbations of chronic pulmonary conditions
What are the monitoring parameters for px w/ influenza?
- Monitored daily for resolution of sx (fever, myalgia, headache, malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat, rhinitis)
- Sx should resolve w/in about 1 week
- If px continues to exhibit sx beyond 10 days or worsening of sx after 7 days, refer b/c may be a secondary bacterial infection
What are common causes of secondary bacterial infections associated w/ influenza?
- Staph aureus
- Strep pneumoniae
What are some possible samples for influenza testing?
- Nasopharyngeal or throat swab
- Nasal wash
- Nasal aspirate
- Blood for antibodies
Viral culture for influenza provides results in ____ days
3-10
Why should a viral culture be done for influenza?
- Subtypes can be determined
- Surveillance for new strains that may need to be included in next years vaccine
Viral cultures detect influenza ____
A and B
