Midterm 2 Flashcards
Flu viruses
Orthmyxoviridae:
- Family of RNA viruses
- Types/clades: A B C
- Virulent encapsulated
- ID’d based on combo of surface antigens: hemaggultinin and neuraminidase
Evolution of flu viruses
- Antigenetic drift: minor genetic changes, mostly non-beneficial (A B C)
- Antigenetic shift: major genetic changes, acquires genes f/other strains through reassortment, usually in pigs (A only)
History of flu
- Middle Ages: Florence 1387, possibly 1st case
- Late 18th c: first major pandemics
- Late 19th c: first detailed analysis of pandemic
- 1930s: virus isolated
Flu: experience (physical)
- Heliotrope cyanosis: lavender-grey hue on face/ears
- Drowned in lung fluid (attempt to protect itself)
- 20% developed secondary pneumonia (secondary infections=main killers)
Flu Origin Theories
Camp Funston, KS (Fort Riley)
- Farm country
- Early 1918: mysterious illness, spread f/camp to camp
- NYC: excessive mortality (port f/which soldiers left)
- European epidemic coincided w/US troops’ arrival
Etaples, France
- 1916: un-ID’d bug killing soldiers (descriptions: similar symptoms)
- Birds and pigs both there (everything and everyone in place)
Virus: Spanish flu specifically
- Influenza A
- Almost entirely avian, NOT reassortment virus
- Jumped f/fowl to humans, suggesting it had already circulated prior
Flu W-Curve Theories
- Age group fighting in trenches, probably fighting co-infections
- Over-reaction: reproduces quickly –> immune system goes into overdrive –> fluid in lungs
- Antigenetic imprinting: exposure to virulent flu in utero/infancy –> over-reactions to similar strains later (1889 Russian Flu)
Treatment for flu
- Anti-pneumonia vaccines (useless)
- Good nursing only effective remedy
- Drs: sleep, wash hands, don’t kiss, etc.
- Some isolation hospitals (Ham)
- Informal support networks (donations, care, adopted orphans, took care of animals)
Geographic Distribution of flu: Hamilton
- Started in West
- Higher MR in north (working class, smaller houses): shows how social inequalities affect mortality
Spanish flu: why was it forgotten?
- Lack of imagery/lit/news coverage (didn’t want to demoralize)
- Few high profile deaths
- Medical failure –> omitted f/textbooks
Syphilis transmission
- Bacteria crossing mucous membrane
- Mainly sexual but also through cuts, lesions, drug use
- Mainly horizontal, can be vertical
Venereal syphilis: microorganism
- Treponema pallidum pallidum
- Spirochete
Syphilis: primary stage
- 3-6 weeks post infection
- Painless ulcer: highly infectious, leaves no scar
Secondary: Syphilis
- Bacteraemic stage: multiply, spread through blood
- 6 weeks after primary chancre heals
- Widespread rash
- Condyloma lata: highly contagious wart-like lesions in warm, moist areas (genitals, mouth)
- Small, flat red lesions (palms, sores, mouth)
Tertiary: Syphilis
- 6-40 years after primary infection
- Gummas: soft, non-cancerous growths
- Bone lesions: painful, good skeletal indicator
- Irreversible damage to heart, liver, kidney, can cause death
Pinta
- T. pallidum carateum
- South/central America
- Skin to skin contact
- Flaky skin paules, hypo-pigmentation of skin
- Easily treated w/antibiotics
Yaws
- T. pallidum pertenue
- Across equatorial zone
- Spread most effectively by children
- Skin lesions, ulcers, may –> joint pain, fatigue, scarring of skin
- Easily treated w/antibiotics
Bejel
- T. pallidum endemicum
- E. Med/W. Af (arid regions)
- Contaminated drinking vessels/utensils
- Childhood disease
- Gums -> mouth -> raised lesions on limbs
- Very rare
Europe: Emergence (syphilis)
-First documented amongst soldiers in Naples, French soldiers brought disease back
Early 20th c: syphilis revealing social values
- Deep fears re: contagion, disease, death, sexuality (–>stigma)
- Why? Taboo, strict ideas about “correct” social relations, viewed sexuality w/suspicion
Message of syphilis campaigns
- STDs=enemy of war, female
- Women trick men/undermine war efforts
- Punishment for sexual license
- Triple threat to moral order: working women, disordered sexuality, subverted ideals of family
Syphilis today in Can
- Rising since 2001
- Highest in NWT, AB
HIV/AIDS history
- 1981: rare infections (P. carinii) in gay comms signalled severe immuno-deficiency
- Also present in drug users/hemophiliacs, signalled infectious agent
- 1983: HIV-1 virus isolated
- Few years later: HIV-2
HIV/AIDS viruses
- F/lentivirus groups of retroviruses
- RNA molecules, reverse transcription
- Host takeover, shuts down all other functions
- Evolution: 1m x faster due to high mutation and replication rate
- Majority: HIV-1, group M