Influenza Flashcards
What are the 3 types of influenza?
A, B and C
Can you have immunity to Influenza?
Yes, but only to the strain that you have already had
What is the incubation and infective period?
1-4 days
7 days
In terms of how the disease takes hold, what is the function os Haemagglutinin
Facilitated viral attachment and entry into the host cell
What is the function of the viruses Neuraminidase
Enables new viron to be released form the host cells
What is antigenic shift?
This is the mechanism of genetic variation of the disease causing slight changes in the antigen properties and there means that the immune system fails to recognise the invasion
Because of antigenic shift what do we need every year?
New vaccines
What are the 3 characteristics of seasonal flu?
Occurs every winter
10-15% of the population
Very unpleasant but not life threatening
What re the 3 features of pandemic flu?
Occurs sporadically
Affects 25% of the population
More serious and complications
What groups of patients are at high risk of complications?
Pregnant women Children Elderly Chronic medical conditions Healthcare workers Immunosupressive agents Steroids
What are the classical symptoms of flu?
Headache Cough Sore throat Rhinorrhea Myalgia Malasie N+V and diarrhoea
How is influenza transmitted?
By respiratory droplet in the air
What is a complication presentation?
Encephalitis Lethargica = fever and headache, ophthalmoplegia, lethargy and sleep reversal - type A
What are your investigations for this condition?
Viral nose and throat swab with a rapid Influenza Diagnostic test or PCR Blood cultures CXR Pulse oximetry RR, HR U&E, FBC
What scoring system are you going to use for influenza?
CURB 65 Confusion Urea >7 RR >30 BP systolic <90 Age 65 and over