“INFLUENZA”

1. Characteristics/Description of the Disease

Influenza, also called flu or grippe, an acute viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory
tract that is marked by fever, chills, and a generalized feeling of weakness and pain in the
muscles, together with varying degrees of soreness in the head and abdomen. Influenza is caused
by any of several closely related viruses in the family Orthomyxoviridae (a group of RNA
viruses). Influenza viruses are categorized as types A, B, C, and D. These major types generally
produce similar symptoms but are completely unrelated antigenically, so that infection with one
type confers no immunity against the others. The A viruses cause the great influenza epidemics,
and the B viruses cause smaller localized outbreaks. The C viruses cause only mild respiratory
illnesses in humans. Influenza D viruses are not known to infect humans and have been observed
only in pigs and cattle.

Newly emerged influenza viruses tend to be initially highly infectious and virulent in humans
because they possess novel antigens to which the human body has no prepared immune defense.

2. Causative Agent/s

The flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. These viruses
spread when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk, sending droplets with the virus into the air
and potentially into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. You can also get flu by
touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or
nose.

Human influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease (known as the flu
season) almost every winter in the United States. Influenza A viruses are the only influenza
viruses known to cause flu pandemics, global epidemics of flu disease. A pandemic can occur
when a new and very different influenza A virus emerges that both infects people and has the
ability to spread efficiently between people. Influenza type C infections generally cause mild
illness and are not thought to cause human flu epidemics. Influenza D viruses primarily affect
cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.

3. Reservoir

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*Humans- are the principle reservoir of human influenza A viruses.

*The avian reservoir of influenza A virus is wild birds, predominantly ducks, geese, and
shorebirds.

*Animal reservoirs are suspected as sources of new human subtypes. Influenza A viruses are
also frequently isolated in pigs and horses.

4. Transmission

Influenza virus may be transmitted among humans in three ways:

1.) by direct contact with infected individuals

2.) by contact with contaminated objects (called fomites, such as toys, doorknobs)

3.) by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols.

5. Incubation Period

While the general incubation period for the flu is usually between one and four days, this
period can vary from person to person. The average incubation period for the flu is two days
Trusted Source.

This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after
coming into contact with the influenza virus.

Several things can influence how long the incubation period is for the flu, including:

• Infectious dose. This is the amount of virus you have been exposed to. Coming into
contact with a larger amount of virus particles can shorten the incubation period.

• Route of infection. This refers to the way the virus enters your body. Some routes of
infection are more efficient than others, which can either increase or decrease the incubation
period.

• Pre-existing immunity. If you have been exposed to a certain virus before, your immune
system may recognize it earlier, which can shorten the incubation period.

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 6. Control/Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination
for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of the flu and its
severity and lower the risk of having serious illness from the flu and needing to stay in the
hospital.

Flu vaccination is especially important this season because the flu and coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19) cause similar symptoms. Flu vaccination could reduce symptoms that might
be confused with those caused by COVID-19. Preventing the flu and reducing the severity of flu
illness and hospitalizations could also lessen the number of people needing to stay in the
hospital.

Each year's seasonal flu vaccine provides protection from the three or four influenza viruses
that are expected to be the most common during that year's flu season. This year, the vaccine will
be available as an injection and as a nasal spray.

In recent years, there was concern that the nasal spray vaccine was not effective enough
against certain types of flu. However, the nasal spray vaccine is expected to be effective in the
2020-2021 season. The nasal spray still is not recommended for some groups, such as pregnant
women, children between 2 and 4 years old with asthma or wheezing, and people who have
compromised immune systems.

If you have an egg allergy, you can still get a flu vaccine.

The influenza vaccine is not 100% effective, so it is also important to take several measures
to reduce the spread of infection, including:

 Wash your hands. Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20
seconds is an effective way to prevent many common infections. Or use alcohol-
based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available.

 Avoid touching your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

 Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Then wash your hands.

 Clean surfaces. Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to prevent spread of

infection from touching a surface with the virus on it and then your face.

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  Avoid crowds. The flu spreads easily wherever people gather — in childcare
centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums, and public transportation. By
avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection.

Also avoid anyone who is sick. And if you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours
after your fever is gone so that you lessen your chance of infecting others.

7. Treatment

Usually, you will need nothing more than rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But if
you have a severe infection or are at higher risk for complications, your doctor may prescribe an
antiviral drug to treat the flu. These drugs can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir
(Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab) or baloxavir (Xofluza). These drugs may shorten your illness by
a day or so and help prevent serious complications.

Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device like an asthma

inhaler and should not be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as
asthma and lung disease.

Antiviral medication side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These side effects
may be lessened if the drug is taken with food.

Most circulating strains of influenza have become resistant to amantadine and

rimantadine (Flumadine), which are older antiviral drugs that are no longer recommended.

Sources/References:

Influenza. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2021, fromhttps://www.britannica.com/science/influenza

2009, 2. (2009, April 29). Influenza virus transmission. Retrieved January 31, 2021,
fromhttps://www.virology.ws/2009/04/29/influenza-virus-transmission/

Influenza Virus Type A. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2021, from

https://www.msdsonline.com/resources/sds-resources/free-safety-data-sheet-
index/influenza-virus-type-a/

Seladi-Schulman, J. (2018, October 26). What Is the Incubation Period for the Flu, and When Is
It Contagious? Retrieved January 31, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/flu-
incubation-period.

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Influenza (flu). (2020, December 19). Retrieved January 31, 2021, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-
20351719#:~:text=Influenza%20is%20a%20viral%20infection,flu%20resolves%20on
%20its%20own.

Influenza (flu). (2020, December 19). Retrieved January 31, 2021, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/diagnosis-treatment/drc-
20351725#:~:text=Usually%2C%20you'll%20need%20nothing,drug%20to%20treat
%20the%20flu.