Influenza Flashcards
How is influenza spread?
Through respiratory droplets
Which two glycoproteins are on the outside of the influenza virus?
HA and NA
Does the virus or the host’s cytokine response cause most of the damage?
The host’s response
Which symptoms are typically only present around the peak of the virus?
Headache, malaise, myalgia
Which secondary infection is common with influenza?
Bacterial pneumonia
This is because influenza makes you more susceptible for certain pathogens
Most common cause of CAP?
Influenza
Compare antigenic drift and shift
Drift = small changes in genetic material. Prior infection should provide protection.
Shift = large change to virus - likely due to combination of multiple forms of the virus (e.g. human and non-human variations). Will express different surface proteins and therefore past infection will not provide protection and new vaccine will be needed
List 4 methods of infection control
- isolating confirmed cases
- using PPE
- hand washing
- contact tracing
Why do elderly patients need a higher dose of vaccine?
Because they have a weaker immune response. Need a higher dose to get the same effect. Given to over 60-65s
Which class does oseltamivir belong to?
Neuramidinidase inhibitor
Brand name of oseltamivir?
Tamiflu
Treatment duration for antivirals?
5 days
Which antiviral is given via inhalation?
Zanamivir
What is the window during which antivirals are useful for influenza?
Within 48 hours of onset
Desirable outcomes of using NI antivirals?
Reduced Sx duration, reduce need for antibiotics, reduce hospital admissions and reduce death
Function of neuraminidase enzyme?
It cleaves the newly packaged virion from the infected cell so that it can go on and infect new cells
Which patient groups might receive prophylactic treatment with an NI?
At risk groups. E.g. pregnant women, elderly, children, residents of long term care facility, immunocompromised, etc
Is prophylactic treatment with NIs dangerous?
No. It is used in high-risk groups because the side effect profile is minimal and the drugs are mostly non-toxic
Why might the drugs not be useful after 48 hours?
Because you are now dealing with the host cytokine response, not the replication and spread of the virus
