Influenza

Question 1

what kind of virus is the flu? which family?

Answer 1

ARNA virus with 8-segment genome

Orthomyxoviridae family

Question 2

Influenza groups?

Answer 2

A, B + C

A infects mammals
B/C infects humans

Question 3

what is antigenic drift?

Answer 3

mechanism of genetic variation within the virus
occurs over time with small on-going point mutations
may change antigenic properties and cause epidemics and vaccine mismatch

Question 4

what is antigenic shift?

Answer 4

abrupt major change in the virus
two or more strange combines to give a substring
reassortment of the virus gene segments

pandemics

Question 5

flu incubation period?

Answer 5

2-4 days

Question 6

clinical features of flu?

Answer 6

abrupt fever up to 41C which lasts 3 days and 2:
cough
myalgia
headache
malaise

Question 7

what are common flu complications?

Answer 7

acute bronchitis
secondary bacterial pneumonia
myocarditis/pericarditis

flu is a multi-system disorder

Question 8

flu investigations? (6)

Answer 8

viral nose and throat swaps (PCR)
CXR
blood culture
pulse oximetry
RR
bloods - U+E, FBC, CRP

Question 9

when should antivirals be used?

Answer 9

ASAP and within 48 hour of symptom onset

Question 10

what are the antiviral therapies?

Answer 10

Oseltamivar oral

Zanamivir dry powder inhaler