Influenza

Question 1

What are the 4 subtypes of Influenza? What types commonly cause illness in humans?

Answer 1

A/B/C/D
-Only A & B commonly cause illness in humans.

Question 2

Influenza incubation period

Answer 2

24 – 96 hours

Question 3

Severe illness and death from Influenza are highest in what demographics?

Answer 3

-people ≥65 years
-children <2 years
-people with underlying medical conditions

Question 4

Flu Epidemics usually occur at what parts of the year?

Answer 4

fall and winter months

Question 5

Adults shed the virus in the upper respiratory tract and are infectious for what time period?

Answer 5

1 day prior to symptom onset to 5–7 days after symptom onset.

Question 6

Infectiousness is highest within how many days of onset & correlated
with fever?

Answer 6

3 days

Question 7

Children & immunocompromised/severely ill may shed virus for how many days after the onset of symptoms?

Answer 7

> 10

Question 8

What are the 2 distinct glycoproteins surrounding the viral membrane

Answer 8

(a) Hemagglutinin (eg. H1, H2, H3,..), x 18 subtypes
(b) Neuraminidase (eg. N1, N2..) x 11 subtypes

Question 9

What does this define
Surrounding the viral membrane there are 2 distinct glycoproteins which is necessary for viruses to enter cells and are also how influenza undergoes periodic changes.

Answer 9

Virion structure

Question 10

How are Influenza virus strains identified?

Answer 10

by the way the glycoproteins mix

Question 11

What issue?
(a) Constitutional symptoms
-1) Fever/chills (> 100.8 F), myalgias, headache, malaise, occasional nausea, sometimes vomiting
(b) Influenza specific symptoms
-1) Nonproductive cough, sore throat, rhinitis, substernal soreness, nasal congestion.
(c) Physical findings:
-1) Predominantly localized to the respiratory tract; include nasal discharge, pharyngeal inflammation without exudates, and occasionally rales on chest auscultation.

Answer 11

Uncomplicated influenza illness

Question 12

True/False
During flu season, a rapid influenza test is usually not necessary with a patient who is symptomatic.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

1. Influenza typically resolves within ____ days with an excellent prognosis in previously healthy adults, even without antiviral medication.
2. However, cough and malaise can persist for ______ in
   some cases.

Answer 13

1. 1-7
2. > 2 weeks

Question 14

What is the treatment goal for the flu?

Answer 14

alleviate & control symptoms while preventing spread to other personnel.

Question 15

Influenza – Treatment

Answer 15

Oseltamivir 75mg PO BID x 5 days if within 48 hours of onset
(a) Bed rest, oral hydration, analgesics /antipyretics, and
antitussives.
(b) Attempt to isolate the patient to the best of your ability while
underway.
(c) While in-port, the patient should remain at home until
symptoms improve.
(d) Influenza may put patient at risk for bacterial infection.

Question 16

Antiviral treatment can be considered for any previously healthy patient with confirmed or suspected influenza within how long of
symptom onset.

Answer 16

48hrs

Question 17

Influenza lab results
CBC: ________
UA: ________

Answer 17

CBC: WBC are usually normal or low early in infection.
UA: may be positive for protein.

Question 18

What is the antiviral treatment for flu

Answer 18

Oseltamivir 75mg PO BID x 5 days. if within 48 hours of onset

Question 19

True/False
Flu
Administer Oseltamivir as soon as possible to patient at high risk of complications even if > 48hrs has elapsed.

Answer 19

True