Influenza Flashcards
1
Q
What is influenza?
A
an acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract
2
Q
Who is at higher risk to develop influenza?
A
- elderly
- young
- health workers
- chronically ill
3
Q
What is the incubation period for influenza?
A
1-4 days
4
Q
Are there different types of influenza? What are they and which type is more prevalent?
A
types A, B, C
type A is more prevalent, types B and C are milder
5
Q
What is the pathology of influenza?
A
- viral injury to epithelial cells in the URT
- inflammatory tissue damage
- if there is extension to the LRT, bronchial and alveolar damage
6
Q
What are complications of influenza?
A
- secondary bacterial infection can develop because URT defenses are compromised, this is why antibiotics may be prescribed
- pneumonia or bronchitits if virus progressed to LRT
7
Q
What are manifestations of influenza?
A
- cough
- fever
- lethargy, myalgia
+ others
8
Q
How is influenza treated?
A
- immunization (prophylaxis)
- prevent spread
- treat symptoms
- limit infection to the URT
- antivirals (ex. amantadine, relenza) - have a small window of effectiveness
9
Q
What does the antiviral amantadine do?
A
prevents the uncoating of DNA
10
Q
What does the antiviral relenza do?
A
inhibits the replication of viral particles, prevents lysis of cells/release of viral particles
