Influenza
Transcript: Influenza is an infectious disease commonly known as the flu. It is an airborne disease, transmitted by coughs or sneezes. When a person coughs or sneezes, it creates an aerosol containing viruses. Influenza is currently prevalent everywhere. The first convincing record of an influenza pandemic of outbreak in 1580, which began in Russia and spread to Europe via Africa. The most famous and lethal outbreak of influenza was the Spanish flu pandemic in1918, which killed about 50 to 100 million people. The most recent influenza pandemic was in2009, also known as the swine flu. Influenza is a highly contagious virus that is spread by coughs and sneezes. The influenza symptoms develop one to three days after the initial infection and includes: high fever, chills, sweating, sore throat, weakness, headache, general muscle and joint pains usually in the legs and back, a non-productive dry cough that can later worsen. Influenza can affect the sufferer by making them have a difficult time sleeping, making them feeling uneasy and tired. As this disease is highly contagious, it is very common in Australia as it can easily spread by people breathing in aerosols containing viruses from coughs or sneezes from the infectant. The pathogen of influenza is a virus. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses. They infect the respiratory tract. There are three classifications of influenza viruses: A, B and C. The shape of influenza viruses are highly variable, however, their surface is consistently covered with protein spikes. The size of an influenza virus is 80-120 millimicrons in diametre. Influenza is transmitted by airborne aerosols containing viruses being released by the infectant coughing or sneezing, and entering the respiratory system of another person. Viruses, unlike bacteria, cannot naturally reproduce. They require a host cell to make products. They attach themselves to the surface of a cell inside an organism and injects its genome. Our immune system has two major challenges when we are infected with the flu: The body must limit the spread of the virus, since a specific immune response takes several days to develop. The immune system must recognise infected cells and destroy them. It must also recognise and eradicate free virus in the tissue fluids in order to prevent the virus from infecting new cells. There are no cures for influenza but there are ways to help the symptoms of the flu. Taking paracetamol is also recommended as it helps relieve fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Drink orange juice, Vitamin C boosts your immune system, enabling you to fight the infection and recover sooner. Get plenty of rest since resting improves your immune system, so stay home and remain in bed. Also eat a light diet like soup since it relieves throat irritation. The influenza vaccination, which is also known as the flu shot is the best way to be protected from influenza for a year which means you must the vaccine annually to stay protected. Other steps that can be taken to prevent influenza are to avoid people that are sick - keeping a distance from them, stay home if you're sick so you don't spread the disease, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing as germs are release, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs are often carried on your hands and also get the annual flu shot. Thank you for listening to our presentation! Prevention and Vaccine Clinical Description of the Disease Influenza By: Thanh & Van Introduction Cause and Transmission Treatment Defence There are three lines of defence a person has against influenza: The first is to keep invaders out via skin, mucus membranes etc. The second is to defend against viruses that have broken through the first line of defense by inflammatory response and fever. In the third phase, B cells produce antibodies against the virus and T cells eradicate cells that have been infected.
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