Review

Influenza Review: An Activity

In groups of 3-4, write one paragraph on the following statements. Let all group members share their opinion.

1. If the influenza epidemic of 1918 - 1919 did not occur, do you think the world's view on disease would be different?
   
   
   
   
2. How is disease different from infection? Define influenza as a disease and an infection.
   
   
   
   
3. If everyone in school wore a surgical mask all winter would anyone get the flu or would everyone be protected against it? If no one gets sick, why doesn't everyone wear a mask during flu season?
   
   
   
   
4. Why do some people feel like they have the flu right after they get the flu shot? Does this discourage some people from getting the flu shot? Does this help or hurt them/others?
   
   
   
   

Pathogenesis

Influenza is usually inhaled where it lands locally in the respiratory system. After binding to the cells lining the respiratory tract they begin to replicate and bud within hours spreading the virus further throughout the reepiratory system. Symptoms occur in two to four days, rather rapidly. These often include fever, chills, sore throat, headache and general malaise. The symptoms usually peak after three or four up to eight days. By the end of the second week, the symptoms are nearly gone except a residual cough and som malaise. Virulence is most potent in influenza A and is related to the viruses ability to evade the immune system. Influenza C is least virulent and the symptoms are subtle. Complications usually involve the respiratory system and are more likely to happen in immune challenged individuals.

Treament and Prevention

The first step is prevention of disease! The flu vaccine is one of the most useful methods of prevention of the disease. The flu virus mutates rapidly and so this years vaccine will not be effective in preventing the disease last year or next year. This is why it's important to get a flu vaccine every year. If, however, the virus is able to invade the human body and produce disease, the treatment is necessary. Some treatments such as decongestants and antihistamines only treat the symptoms and do not work to cure the illness. Anti-viral medications, however, use several mechanisms to eliminate the virus from the body.
Vector control of H5N1 is very important in preventing a possible human to human transmission of the disease. Major methods of vector control for H5N1 are bird culling, surveillance and bans/embargos on birds. All three methods have both advantages and disadvantages that effect society in different ways.