Upper Respiratory tract disease - INFLUENZA

Question 1

what is influenza?

Answer 1

a highly contagious VIRAL infection of the respiratory passage-way

Question 2

name the 2 types of influenza & what they are both associated with.

Answer 2

1) influenza A
= associated with localised outbreaks of mild disease

2) influenza B
= causes worldwide pandemics

Question 3

symptoms of influenza?

Answer 3

• fever
• shivering
• general aching in limbs
• dry cough (could persist for several weeks)
• sort throat
• severe headache
• diarrhoea occurs in 70% of cases of bird flue
• influenza infections can also cause depression and debility that can take weeks or months to clear

Question 4

how is influenza transmitted?

Answer 4

transmitted by droplets through direct contact with respiratory secretions with someone who is infected

Question 5

what are some complications following an influenza infection?

Answer 5

= secondary bacterial infections are common

Question 6

what bacterias cause these secondary bacterial infections?

Answer 6

1) streptococcus pneumonias

2) haemophilus influenza

Question 7

what is secondary pneumonia caused by and how harmful is the bacteria?

Answer 7

it is caused by staphylococcus aureus

• its rarer but more serious

Question 8

how do you manage influenza?

Answer 8

• bed rest
• paracetamol
• plenty of fluids

Question 9

in what patients should antibiotics be given?

Answer 9

in patients with chronic bronchitis or cardiac or renal disease to prevent secondary infection

Question 10

what is the name of the inhibitors that help shorten the duration of symptoms in patients with influenza, if given within 48hours of first symptom?

Answer 10

neuraminidase inhibitor

Question 11

whats the name of 2 antivirals that could be used to treat influenza?

Answer 11

1) zanamivir

2) oseltamivir

Question 12

what type of patients should the antivirals zanamivir and oseltamivir be given?

Answer 12

in patients over the age of 65 and at risk adults

Question 13

who should be eligible for routine vaccinations?

Answer 13

• people over the age of 65
• young people with chronic heart disease, chronic lung diseases (e.g. ASTHMA), chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus
• immunosuppressed individuals
• health service workers

Question 14

who should the influenza vaccine NOT be given to?

Answer 14

people who are allergic to eggs

Question 15

what are the 2 types of vaccines?

Answer 15

1) live attenuated vaccine
- virus if grown, then inactivated and then combined with an adjuvant

2) killed vaccine