25. Influenza

pathogenesis

single stranded RNA influenza virus (orthomyxoviridae) inhaled and carried to lungs

viral hemagglutinin attaches to receptors on ciliated epithelial cells, viral envelope fuses with cell, viral RNA enters cell.

host cell synthesis is diverted to viral synthesis

formed visions bud from infected cell and released by viral neuraminidase, infect ciliated epithelium and mucus and alveolar cells

infected cells die, recovery of mucociliary escalator may take weeks

secondary bacterial infection of lungs occurs

virus exits through cough

symptoms

fever

muscle aches

lack of energy

headache

sore throat

nasal congestion

cough

incubation period- 1-2 days

transmission

inhaled droplets

antigenic drift

antigenic shift thwart immunity

prevention and treatment

amantidine and rimantadin prevent type A but not type B

vaccine 80-90% effective

epidemiology

at least 4 pandemics in 19th century

est 21 million deaths worldwide in 1918-1919 pandemic

3 types- A, B, C

A- moderate to sever, all age groups, humans and animals

B- mild epidemics, humans, primarily children

C- rarely in humans, not epidemic

can be used as treatment if given early

complications

pneumonia

Reye syndrome

myocarditis

death- 0.5-1/1000 cases

highest mortality rate in epidemic

over 65s

under 18mo

people with diabetes, heart diseases, kidney and resp ailments

antibodies produced after infection primarily IgG and must be sufficient in conc at site of invasion

appear 7 days after attack, max at 2 weeks

prevention

good ventilation of public buildings

avoid crowds in epidemics

cover faces when coughing