Influenza

Question 1

Influenza?

Answer 1

Viral infection in the upper respiratory tract (URT)

Question 2

What is significant about the onset?

Answer 2

It is acute

Question 3

List the 3 types of influenza.

Answer 3

1. Type A (most prevalent)
2. Type B
3. Type C

Question 4

Incubation period?

Answer 4

1-4 days, with 2 days being the average

Question 5

How long do individuals remain infectious post-onset of symptoms?

Answer 5

5-6 days

Question 6

Although antibiotics are not used for viral infections, why might some physicians prescribe antibiotics when treating influenza?

Answer 6

They may prescribe it for the secondary bacterial infection that occurred or possibly for prophylactic treatment in a severely immunocompromised patient

Question 7

What can influenza lead to?

Answer 7

Pneumonia (may be fetal)

Question 8

If an pt who has influenza dies, what does this mean?

Answer 8

They died from the complications, not the influenza virus

Question 9

What is the best way to prevent influenza?

Answer 9

Immunization

Question 10

Why should antibiotics not be used to treat influenza?

Answer 10

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections NOT viruses.

Question 11

In Canada, approximately how much of the population becomes infected with influenza?

Answer 11

10-20%

Question 12

Approximately how many people in Canada die every year d/t influenza?

Answer 12

4000 (but they die from complications not the influenza virus)

Question 13

Who are rates of influenza highest amongst?

Answer 13

Children

Question 14

Who are rates of serous illness or death related to influenza highest amongst?

Answer 14

Immunocompromised people or people 65 years +

Question 15

What is death primarily related to?

Answer 15

secondary pneumonia

Question 16

Mode of transmission of influenza?

Answer 16

Inhalation of droplet nuclei

Question 17

How long can children be infectious for?

Answer 17

For more than 10 days

Question 18

How long can young children shed the virus before their initial onset of symptoms?

Answer 18

up to 6 days

Question 19

How long can severely immunocompromised persons shed the virus for?

Answer 19

weeks or months

Question 20

Which 3 infections can influenza cause?

Answer 20

1. Uncomplicated respiratory infection (rhinotracheitis)
2. Viral pneumonia
3. Respiratory viral infection (followed by a bacterial infection)

Question 21

Where is the initial site of establishment?

Answer 21

Upper airway infection

Question 22

What does the virus first target and kill?

Answer 22

Mucus-secreting, ciliated, and other epithelial cells

Question 23

What happens if the virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 23

Infection can cause severe shedding of bronchial and alveolar cells down to a single-cell-thick basal layer.

Question 24

What does influenza infection promote?

Answer 24

Bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells

Question 25

Manifestations of influenza

Answer 25

• Abrupt onset of fever and chills
• malaise
• muscle aching
• headache
• profuse, watery nasal discharge
• nonproductive cough
• sore-throat

Question 26

Goal of treatment for influenza?

Answer 26

limit the infection of the URT

Question 27

Treatment for influenza?

Answer 27

• symptomatic management : rest, keep warm, keep well hydrated
• analgesics, antipyretics, cough meds
• antiviral drugs: amantidine/zanamivir/oseltamivir

Question 28

When should anti-viral drugs be initiated for the best results?

Answer 28

ASAP and up to 48 hours after onset of symptoms

Question 29

Which antiviral drug is effective against influenza A?

Answer 29

Amantidine

Question 30

Antiviral drugs?

Answer 30

Amantidine; Zanamivir; Oseltamivir

Question 31

Zanamivir/Oseltamivir?

Answer 31

Inhibitor of Na