Pandemics

Question 1

What does H and N mean in a virus name

Answer 1

Refers to surface proteins

E.g. Flu

Question 2

What is a potential complication of flu infection ?

Answer 2

Primary influenzal pneumonia seen most during pandemic years
-can be disease of young adults
-high mortality

Secondary bacterial pneumonia
-more common in elderly and debilitated, pre-existing disease
-cause of mortality in all influenza epidemics
-H influenzae and Staph aureus

Secondary pneumonia determines severity of flu outbreak

Question 3

How do new disease strains get created ?

Answer 3