Respiratory Disorders: Influenza

Question 1

What is influenza (flu)?

Answer 1

common, acute, viral infection in the Upper Respiratory Tract (URT)

Question 2

Influenze is largely ____-______ and do not treat w/ _______ or _______

Answer 2

self-limiting

antibiotics

antivirals

Question 3

What types of influenza are there? (3)

Answer 3

1. type A
2. type B
3. type C

Question 4

Which type is more prevalent and which are milder forms? Which is more serious and give rise to a epidemic?

Answer 4

Type A is more prevalent and serious and give rise to an epidemic

Type B and C is the milder forms

Question 5

How long is the incubation period. How long it remain infectious for?

Answer 5

1-4 days

infectious 5-7 days following onset

Question 6

Pathophysiology of influenza (3)

Answer 6

1. viral entry
2. damage to epithelial cells
3. bronchial and alveolar damage if extension to LRT

Question 7

Virus invades ________ cells in URT and damage ____ cells

Answer 7

epithelial cells

host cells

Question 8

What are the 2 mechanisms to damage in the epithelial cells?

Answer 8

1. virus incorporate viral DNA to host cell causing viral damage
2. Inflm damage as a result of immune response –> non-specific

Question 9

How does bronchial and alveolar damage occur?

Answer 9

when defenses are compromised, the virus migrate to lungs of the LRT and proliferate

Question 10

Complications occur when virus progress to ______ and must be ______

Answer 10

LRT

managed

Question 11

What are the complications? (2)

Answer 11

1. secondary bacterial infection

2. bronchitis or pneumonia

Question 12

How does secondary bacterial infection happen?

Answer 12

The virus targets the mucociliary blanket and compromise the defense.

The Bacteria is inhaled from air and move into the lungs b/c defense is compromised.

Question 13

How does bronchitis and pneumonia happen?

Answer 13

IR is targeting the virus while damaging the cellular lining and cilia –> opportunity for pathogenic bacteria to enter the lungs –> leads to bacterial or viral pneumonia and result in acute bronchitis

Question 14

Manifestations of influenza (3)

Answer 14

1. lethargy, myalgia –> energy consumed by IR
2. cough–> dry coughs d/t irritations of respiratory lining
3. fever

Question 15

Treatment for Influenza (5)

Answer 15

1. self-limiting
2. symptomatic management
3. limit spread
4. anti-viral??
5. immunizations

Question 16

How to self-limit during an influenza?

Answer 16

bed rest for a week or so and do not do anything else

Question 17

How to limit spread of infection? (2)

Answer 17

1. stay home and away from others –> to prevent passing it one to others
2. limit spread of infection to LRT

Question 18

Is the anti-viral normally used?

Answer 18

sometimes but generally no

Question 19

What 2 anti-viral agents are used? What is the MOA?

Answer 19

1. amantadine: decrease ability for virus to uncoat its RNA/genetic material before incorporating into the host DNA (exposure of genetic material is prevented)
2. Relenza: a secondary generation antiviral drug –> prevent viral particle from releasing

Question 20

Which type of influenza is Relenza most effective against?

Answer 20

Type A and B

Question 21

What is used prophylactically? How?

Answer 21

immunization (flu shot) is used to prevent infections to develop

a component of virus is injected to host–> IR detect the particle and creates antibodies to fend off the virus

Question 22

What is the vaccine based on?

Answer 22

based on the strains of virus

Question 23

How can immunization be less effective?

Answer 23

when virus mutate –>immunization become less effective

Question 24

What is the incubation period?

Answer 24

the number of days between when you’re infected with something and when you might see symptoms