Influenza Flashcards
Is influenza an RNA or DNA virus?
RNA
What are the three types of influenza?
A, B and C
How can type A influenzas be further subtyped?
using H and N subtyping
What type A influenza subtype caused the Swine Flu and Spanish Flu pandemics?
H1N1
What type A influenza subtype caused the bird flu pandemic?
H5H1
Why do flu vaccinations need to be altered each year?
to keep up with new strains and antigenic variation
Give the 5 groups of people who are offered a free flu vaccination on the NHS:
1) aged 65 or over
2) young children
3) pregnant women
4) those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, COPD and diabetes
5) healthcare workers and carers
How long is the incubation period in influenza?
2 days
Give 8 symptoms associated with the flu:
1) headache
2) fever
3) sore throat
4) lethargy
5) dry cough
6) muscle and joint aches
7) coryzal symptoms
8) anorexia (loss of appetite)
What are coryzal symptoms?
common cold symptoms e.g. nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, sneezing and malaise
Give three differences to how the common cold and the flu present:
1) flu tends to have more of an abrupt onset whereas the common cold comes on more gradually
2) fever is commonly associated with the flu but is rare with the common cold
3) people with the flu are wiped out with muscle aches and lethargy whereas people with a cold can continue many activities
What national organisation monitors the numbers of flu cases and provides guidance when numbers are high?
UK Health Security Agency
Give 2 testing methods for influenza:
1) PCR of viral nasal and throat swabs
2) point-of-care swabs (detect viral antigens but are not sensitive as formal lab tests)
Give two antiviral drugs that may be give to a patient with influenza at risk of developing complications:
1) oral oseltamivir
2) inhaled zanamivir
What is the mechanism of oseltamivir?
viral neuraminidase inhibitor
