Influenza

Question 1

Signs and Symptoms for Influenza

Answer 1

• Sudden fever
• Pharyngitis
• Congestion
• Cough
• Tiredness
• Pale
• Muscle ache

Question 2

Causative agents for Influenza

Answer 2

Influenza virus types A and B

• Envelope virus
• RNA virus

Question 3

What are the two main causes for mutations in Influenza?

Answer 3

• Antigenic drift
• Antigenic shift
• ^^ cause multiple strains

Question 4

Pathogenesis for Influenza

Answer 4

• Produced immune response to the virus

- Flu patients are susceptible to secondary bacterial infections

Question 5

Epidemiology for Influenza

Answer 5

• Complications in the elderly, children, and those with chronic diseases
• 2009 H1N1 variants bound lower in respiratory tract causing massive cytokine storm

Question 6

Diagnosis for Influenza

Answer 6

• Signs and symptoms

- Often diagnostic

Question 7

Treatment for Influenza

Answer 7

• Four drugs approved
• Take during the first 48 hours
• Supportive care
• Antiviral (early on)

Question 8

Prevention for Influenza

Answer 8

• Immunization
• Multivalent vaccine
• IgG/ flu vaccination (works 10%)

Question 9

Pathogenesis and Virulence Factors for Influenza

Answer 9

• Virus binds ciliated cells of the respiratory mucosa

- Severe inflammation, irritation in lungs due to “cytokine storm”

Question 10

Culture for Influenza

Answer 10

• Culture and non-culture based tests
• Rapid influenza tests:
• Immunofluorescence
• PCR
• ELISA
• Viral culture

Question 11

If not treated?

Answer 11

Pneumonia (most likely if really young or really old)

Question 12

Transitions fr Influenza

Answer 12

Transmitted via inhalation of airborne viruses or by self-inoculation