Report in Microbiology and

Parasitology

H1N1 Influenza

Submitted by:

DINGCONG, PHOEBE JOY M.

Class 2022

Submitted to:

JONES PATRICK G. ESTOY

Clinical Instructor
I. Signs and Symptoms

Manifestations of H1N1 influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza. Patients present
with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, including at least 2 of the following:
o Fever
o Cough
o Sore throat
o Body aches
o Headache
o Chills and fatigue
o Diarrhea and vomiting (possible)
In children, signs of severe disease include apnea, tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, dehydration,
altered mental status, and extreme irritability.

II. Causative Agent Profile

Name of Disease: H1N1 Influenza/ H1N1 Flu/ Swine Flu

- an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs
- caused by the H1N1 influenza virus
Virus, Bacteria or Fungi: Virus (H1N1 virus)
- contains “spikes (glycoproteins)” called Hemagglutinin (H) spike and
Neuraminidase (N) spike
- 80 to 120 nm in diameter
- now considered a regular flu virus
- one of the three viruses included in the regular (seasonal) flu vaccine.
There are 16 H subtypes and 9 N subtypes, which make up all of the subtypes of the
influenza A virus by various combinations of H and N.

Novel H1N1 flu

- mainly found infecting humans
- exhibits 2 main surface antigens (hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1)
- new flu virus responsible for a flu pandemic in 2009 that was originally referred to as "swine flu"
because many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally
occur in pigs

Virulence Factor: Antigenic Variation

The H1N1 swine influenza viruses can potentially cause infections in humans if antigenic
characteristics of the virus change

III. Signs and Symptoms – Causative Agent Profile

Swine influenza viruses can potentially cause infections in humans if antigenic

characteristics of the virus change through reassortment. Swine influenza virus infects the
respiratory system. As a result, effects on the body often focus on the throat, nose, and lungs.
Hemagglutinin (H) - attaches the virion to the host cell for cell entry
- cause red blood cells to cluster together
- H spike binds to sialic acid receptors (which is present in upper and
lower respiratory tract)
Neuraminidase (N) - facilitates the spread of the progeny virus by cleaving (splitting) the host
sialic acid receptors attached to the progeny virus
- helps move the virus particles through the infected cell and assists in
budding from host cells

IV. Mode of Transmission, Incubation Period, Period of Communicability

 Mode of Transmission:
1. Pigs to Person
2. Person to Pigs
3. Person to Person
Mode of Transmission: Direct contact, Droplet and Airborne transmission
Incubation Period: 1 to 4 days, with the average around 2 days in most individuals, but some
individuals, it may be as long as 7 days
Contagious Period: about 1 day before symptoms develop and lasts around 5 to 7 days after
the person develops symptoms.

V. Management

 Prevention of swine influenza has three components:

 prevention in pigs
 prevention of transmission to humans
 prevention of its spread among humans
1. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
2. Stay away from someone who has symptoms of the cold or flu.
3. Avoid contact with other sick people.
 Studies by the National Institutes of Health show a single dose creates enough
antibodies to protect against the virus within about 10 days. There are two kinds of
2009 H1N1 vaccines: a "flu shot "; that is given with a needle, usually in the arm; and
a nasal spray flu vaccine.
 The NA protein is the target of the antiviral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu. Also
embedded in the lipid membrane is the M2 protein, which is the target of the antiviral
adamantanes - amantadine and rimantadine.

VI. Nursing Implications/ Management

The nursing implications for Swine flu are:

1. Health education
2. Contribution in infection control
3. Treatment of manifestations