Influenza or Flu

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Homepage: EMNote.org ■ • 🚩Membership: https://tinyurl.com/joinemnote • 🚩ACLS Lecture: https://tinyurl.com/emnoteacls • • INFLUENZA • Background • Influenza is an infectious disease commonly referred to as the flu. It is caused by influenza viruses and can cause mild to severe illness. • The main types of influenza viruses that infect humans are influenza A, B, and C. • Influenza has been around for centuries with documented outbreaks occurring as far back as the 1500s. • The word influenza comes from the Italian word meaning influence, initially referring to the belief that the disease was caused by astrological conditions. • The first convincing record of an influenza pandemic was in 1510 when it started in East Asia and spread globally. • The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920 was the most devastating influenza pandemic in history and one of the deadliest pandemics ever recorded. • Pathophysiology • Influenza viruses primarily infect the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract. • The virus enters the host cell by binding to sialic acid receptors on the cell surface. • Viral HA proteins on the surface of the virus particle mediate this binding. • Once bound, the virus enters the cell and uses the host's cellular machinery to replicate. • Two main evolutionary processes of influenza viruses are antigenic drift, a gradual accumulation of mutations, and antigenic shift, a sudden, significant change in viral antigens. • Clinical Manifestations • Influenza symptoms are similar to a cold but typically more severe. • Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. • Symptoms usually appear 1-4 days after exposure to the virus and last for 2-8 days. • Children are considered the primary spreaders of influenza. • While most people recover fully, influenza can lead to complications, particularly in high-risk groups. • Management • Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. • Vaccines are updated annually to keep up with the evolving virus. • Other preventative measures include handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick. • Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, can be used to treat influenza, particularly in severe cases. • These medications work by blocking the virus's ability to spread and replicate within the body. • Prognosis • For most healthy individuals, influenza is self-limiting and not life-threatening. • However, influenza can be severe and even fatal for high-risk groups. • These groups include young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions. • The most common severe complication is pneumonia, which can be caused by the virus itself or by a secondary bacterial infection. • Other complications can include ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening of chronic health problems like asthma.

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