FLU

Flu = Disease

Influenza virus = virus

Single Stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus, enveloped, spikes

Transmitted via respiratory droplets (cough and sneeze) and fomites (inanimate objects)

Circulates in ducks, chickens, pigs, humans (Type A) or just people (Type B)

Incubation period of 1-4 days; contagious 1 days before signs and symptoms and 5-7 days after signs and symptoms begin

Signs and Symptoms:

Fever, headache, fatigue, body/muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, vomiting and diarrhea

Increased risk for complications elderly, young kids, pregnant women, asthmatics, diabetics, people with heart disease

Deaths from the flu are difficult to determine. First, states are not required to report individual flu illnesses or deaths among people older than 18 years of age to CDC. Second, influenza is infrequently listed on death certificates of people who die from flu-related complications. Third, many flu-related deaths occur one or two weeks after a person’s initial infection, either because the person may develop a secondary bacterial co-infection (such as bacterial pneumonia) or because influenza can aggravate an existing chronic illness (such as congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Also, most people who die from flu-related complications are not tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples. Sensitive influenza tests are only likely to detect influenza if performed within a week after onset of illness. In addition, some commonly used tests to diagnose influenza in clinical settings are not highly sensitive and can provide false negative results (i.e., they misdiagnose flu illness as not being flu.) For these reasons, many flu-related deaths may not be recorded on death certificates.

Influenza vaccine includes most prevalent A and B subtypes

Testing rapid test 15 minutes (50-70% accurate), viral culture (3-10 days), serology, PCR, immunofluorescence

Treatment rest, fluids, Tylenol to decrease pain and fever; antiviral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu given in first 48 hours blocks release of new viruses