Influenza

Ayesha Areej Khan

Semester: 7th
Contents:
Influenza
Causes
Signs and symptoms
Types
Transmission
Pathophysiology
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Influenza:
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is
an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses
which include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle
pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue.
Causes:
Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets
when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or
talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can
pick up the germs from an object such as a telephone
or computer keyboard and then transfer them to your
eyes, nose or mouth.
Signs and symptoms:
The onset of symptoms including fever, chills,
headaches, muscle pain or aching, a feeling of
discomfort, loss of appetite, lack of energy/fatigue, and
confusion.

 Respiratory symptoms: dry cough, sore or dry throat,

hoarse voice, and a stuffy or runny nose. Coughing is the
most common symptom.
Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
and gastroenteritis, especially in children. The standard
influenza symptoms typically last for 2–8 days.
Types:
There are four types of influenza virus, termed influenza viruses A, B,
C, and D.
 Influenza A virus (IVA): Aquatic birds are the primary source
of Influenza A virus, which is also widespread in various mammals,
including humans and pigs. 

Influenza B virus (IBV): IAV and IBV circulate in humans and cause

seasonal epidemics.

Influenza C virus (ICV): ICV causes a mild infection, primarily in

children. IDV can infect humans but is not known to cause illness.

Influenza D virus (IDV): Is found in cattle and pigs.

Influenza viruses:
Influenza A virus (IAV): genus Alphainfluenzavirus
Influenza B virus (IBV): genus Betainfluenzavirus
Influenza C virus (ICV):
genus Gammainfluenzavirus
Influenza D virus (IDV): genus Deltainfluenzavirus
Transmission:
People who are infected can transmit influenza viruses through breathing,
coughing, and sneezing, which spread respiratory
droplets and aerosols that contain virus particles into the air. A person
susceptible to infection can then contract influenza by coming into contact
with these particles. 

Inhalation of aerosols can lead to infection, but most transmission is in the

area about two meters around an infected person via respiratory
droplets that come into contact with mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. 

Transmission through contact with a person, bodily fluids can also occur,
such as through contaminated hands and surfaces since influenza viruses
can survive for hours on non-porous surfaces. If one's hands are
contaminated, then touching one's face can cause infection.
Transmission:
People who are at risk of exposure to influenza include
health care workers, social care workers, and those
who live with or care for people vulnerable to
influenza.

A variety of factors likely encourage influenza

transmission, including lower temperature, lower
absolute and relative humidity,
less ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, and crowding. 
Pathophysiology:
In humans, influenza viruses first cause infection by infecting epithelial cells
in the respiratory tract. Illness during infection is primarily the result of
lung inflammation and compromise caused by epithelial cell infection and
death, combined with inflammation caused by the immune system's response
to infection.

Non-respiratory organs can become involved, but the mechanisms by which

influenza is involved in these cases are unknown.

 Severe respiratory illness can be caused by multiple, non-exclusive

mechanisms, including obstruction of the airways, loss of alveolar structure,
loss of lung epithelial integrity due to epithelial cell infection and death, and
degradation of the extracellular matrix that maintains lung structure. In
particular, alveolar cell infection appears to drive severe symptoms since this
results in impaired gas exchange and enables viruses to infect endothelial
cells, which produce large quantities of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Risk factors:
Factors that may increase your risk of
developing the flu or its complications
include:
Age. Seasonal influenza tends to target
children 6 months to 5 years old, and adults
65 years old or older.
Living or working conditions. People who
live or work in facilities with many other
residents, such as nursing homes or military
barracks, are more likely to develop the flu.
People who are staying in the hospital also
are at higher risk.
Weakened immune system. Cancer
treatments, long-term use of steroids, organ
transplant, blood cancer or HIV/AIDS can
weaken the immune system. This can make
it easier to catch the flu and may also
increase the risk of developing
complications.
 Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions,
including lung diseases such as asthma,
diabetes, heart disease, nervous system
diseases, metabolic disorders, an airway
abnormality, and kidney, liver or blood
disease, may increase the risk of influenza
complications.
 Race. Native American people may have an
increased risk of influenza complications.
 Aspirin use under age 19. People who are
younger than 19 years of age and receiving
long-term aspirin therapy are at risk of
developing .
 Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely
to develop influenza complications,
particularly in the second and third
trimesters.
 Obesity. People with a body mass index
(BMI) of 40 or more have an increased risk
of flu complications.
Complications:
If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you
may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a
week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk
may develop complications that may include:

Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Asthma flare-ups
Heart problems
Ear infections
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Pneumonia is one of the most serious complications. For older adults
and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can be deadly.
Prevention:
Vaccination
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis
Hygiene
Diagnosis:
Doctor will conduct a physical exam, look for signs
and symptoms of influenza, and possibly order a test
that detects influenza viruses.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming

more common in many hospitals and labs. This test
may be done while you're in your doctor's office or in
the hospital. PCR testing is more sensitive than other
tests and may be able to identify the influenza strain.
Treatment:
  Antiviral drugs have been approved for treatment
and/or chemoprophylaxis of influenza and are active
against recently circulating subtypes of influenza:

Baloxavir marboxil
Oseltamivir
Peramivir
Zanamivir
Thank you.