Influenza

Question 1

What types of influenza affect humans?

Answer 1

Influenza A, B, and C affect humans. Type D affects cattle.

Question 2

Which influenza types are most common in humans?

Answer 2

Influenza A and Influenza B are the most common.

Question 3

What are examples of influenza A strains?

Answer 3

• H1N1 (caused the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and the swine flu pandemic of 2009)
• H5N1 (causes bird flu)

Question 4

When do flu outbreaks typically occur?

Answer 4

Flu outbreaks usually occur during the winter months.

Question 5

Who should receive the flu vaccine on the NHS?

Answer 5

• Aged 65 and over
• Young children
• Pregnant women
• Chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD, heart failure, diabetes)
• Healthcare workers and carers

Question 6

What are the typical symptoms of influenza?

Answer 6

• Fever
• Lethargy and fatigue
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Muscle and joint aches
• Headache
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Coryzal symptoms (runny nose)

Question 7

What key features differentiate flu from the common cold?

Answer 7

• Flu has an abrupt onset, while the common cold has a more gradual onset.
• Fever is typical of the flu but rare in the common cold.
• People with the flu experience muscle aches and lethargy, while those with a cold can continue many activities.

Question 8

What are the testing options for influenza?

Answer 8

• Point-of-care tests using swabs (detect viral antigens, not as sensitive as lab tests)
• Nasal or throat swabs sent for PCR analysis (more accurate and helps track case patterns)

Question 9

What is the management for healthy patients with influenza?

Answer 9

Healthy patients typically do not require treatment and will recover with rest and hydration.

Question 10

What is the treatment for at-risk patients with influenza?

Answer 10

• Oral oseltamivir (twice daily for 5 days)
• Inhaled zanamivir (twice daily for 5 days)
  Treatment should begin within 48 hours of symptom onset to be effective.

Question 11

What is post-exposure prophylaxis for influenza?

Answer 11

Post-exposure prophylaxis is given to those at risk (e.g., chronic disease or immunosuppressed) if it’s started within 48 hours of exposure and involves:
* Oral oseltamivir (75mg once daily for 10 days)
* Inhaled zanamivir (10mg once daily for 10 days)

Question 12

What are some potential complications of influenza?

Answer 12

• Otitis media, sinusitis, bronchitis
• Viral pneumonia
• Secondary bacterial pneumonia
• Worsening of chronic conditions (e.g., COPD, heart failure)
• Febrile convulsions (in young children)
• Encephalitis