Influenza Flashcards
Influenza?
Viral infection in the upper respiratory tract (URT)
What is significant about the onset?
It is acute
List the 3 types of influenza.
- Type A (most prevalent)
- Type B
- Type C
Incubation period?
1-4 days, with 2 days being the average
How long do individuals remain infectious post-onset of symptoms?
5-6 days
Although antibiotics are not used for viral infections, why might some physicians prescribe antibiotics when treating influenza?
They may prescribe it for the secondary bacterial infection that occurred or possibly for prophylactic treatment in a severely immunocompromised patient
What can influenza lead to?
Pneumonia (may be fetal)
If an pt who has influenza dies, what does this mean?
They died from the complications, not the influenza virus
What is the best way to prevent influenza?
Immunization
Why should antibiotics not be used to treat influenza?
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections NOT viruses.
In Canada, approximately how much of the population becomes infected with influenza?
10-20%
Approximately how many people in Canada die every year d/t influenza?
4000 (but they die from complications not the influenza virus)
Who are rates of influenza highest amongst?
Children
Who are rates of serous illness or death related to influenza highest amongst?
Immunocompromised people or people 65 years +
What is death primarily related to?
secondary pneumonia
Mode of transmission of influenza?
Inhalation of droplet nuclei
How long can children be infectious for?
For more than 10 days
How long can young children shed the virus before their initial onset of symptoms?
up to 6 days
How long can severely immunocompromised persons shed the virus for?
weeks or months
Which 3 infections can influenza cause?
- Uncomplicated respiratory infection (rhinotracheitis)
- Viral pneumonia
- Respiratory viral infection (followed by a bacterial infection)
Where is the initial site of establishment?
Upper airway infection
What does the virus first target and kill?
Mucus-secreting, ciliated, and other epithelial cells
What happens if the virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract?
Infection can cause severe shedding of bronchial and alveolar cells down to a single-cell-thick basal layer.
What does influenza infection promote?
Bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells
