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© HC-HealthComm GmbH, Neikesstrasse 3, 66111
Saarbrücken
Telephone-No.:+49 (0)681 9590210-13
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.hc-healthcomm.com
All rights reserved
Anejo Health Communication www.anejo.eu
Although the information about medication given in this book
has been carefully checked, the author and publisher accept
no liability for the accuracy of this information.
In every individual case the user must check such
information by consulting the relevant literature.
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved,
whether the whole or part of the material is concerned,
specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of
illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on
microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks.
Table of Contents
Influenza
How is it spread?
Signs and symptoms
Complications
Life cycle of the influenza virus
Prevention
Influenza vaccination
Indications
Influenza
The influenza viruses are classified into types A, B and C. Types A and
B are more common than type C, causing more severe diseases.
Influenza C virus is a major cause of respiratory infections in children
younger than 6 years of age. Among the main features of this virus
membrane proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase can be found,
which enable the virus to enter the cells, but also proteins (antigens)
by means of which the defense system recognizes a viral particle and
starts destroying it using antibodies. The immune system keeps the
structure of the antigen on its memory, so if a new infection
appeared, the response would be faster and it would destroy the virus
rapidly. However, the virus may change its antigens composition in
such a way that the defense system no longer recognizes it and has to
initiate a new response to the novel antigen though dealing with the
same virus.
How is it spread?
Viral transmission occurs from human to human through infected
microdrops (saliva, nasal and lacrimal secretions) that are expelled
when coughing or sneezing and that can be inhaled by other people
or infect hands and different surfaces.
Signs and symptoms
Typical symptoms consist in high fever (it can be as high as 104ºF),
general discomfort that keeps the patient in bed, severe headache,
sore throat, rhinitis, odynophagia, dry cough, myalgia, arthralgia and
muscle weakness.
Respiratory complications may also appear especially in
immunosuppressed patients or in those with chronic underlying
medical conditions, all of whom will require hospitalization. Special
precaution must be taken with pregnant women.
Complications
Pneumonia (primary or secondary bacterial pneumonia) and
exacerbations of cardiopulmonary conditions may lead to death as a
complication of influenza.
Life cycle of the influenza virus
1 The influenza virus has a special affinity with the epithelial cells of
the respiratory tract. When it reaches the cells it is going to infect, it
breaks their defensive barriers with the help of two substances on its
cover, viz. hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
2 The virus breaks the defenses of the cells; the cell “absorbs” the
virus (endocytosis), and englobes it with a part of its own membrane,
thereby forming the endosome, which circulates inside the cell.
3 When the endosome opens, the virus leaves its cover in it and
releases its genetic material (RNA and proteins) in the center of the
cell. The virus cannot replicate by itself and uses the structure of the
infected or host cell.
4 Once the host cell has multiplied all the material, this goes towards
the membrane, it envelopes itself with a part of the plasmatic
membrane of the cell.
5 And once again goes into circulation to infect new cells and
therefore keep on multiplying.
Prevention
- In order to prevent transmission of this disease, infected patients
shall stay at home, cover the nose and mouth when coughing or
sneezing, wash the hands thoroughly and frequently, and stay away
from healthy people.
- General population shall keep the same hygienic habits and avoid
crowded places. If signs or symptoms appear, it is advisable to see a
doctor immediately and to avoid self medication. Aspirin is never
recommended.
– Vaccination
Influenza vaccination
Types of flu vaccines
1) Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)
2) Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)
The efficacy of influenza vaccine ranges from 70 to 95%. Annual
vaccination is recommended owing to the fact that strains vary from
year to year and influenza vaccine-induced antibodies decline.
Indications
High-risk groups:
• People older than 65 years of age.
• Children and adults who have chronic diseases: lung diseases
(including asthma); heart or metabolic diseases (including diabetes);
renal diseases, chronic anemias, hemoglobinopathies,
immunosuppression (including HIV), among others.
• Children or adolescents (6-18 years of age) on long-term aspirin
treatment, as the risk of developing Reye's syndrome is higher after
influenza virus infection.
• People who live in closed institutions, such as a nursing homes or
extended care facilities, or those living with someone who has chronic
health problems.
• Pregnant women during any trimester of pregnancy, or who have
underlying diseases. The newborn is protected during the first months
of life by the transfer of maternal antibodies.
• Children between the ages of 6 months to 2 years who are at risk:
preterm infants, those with a birth weight lower than 1500 g, and
those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Population with unmet basic
needs (UBN): overcrowding, malnutrition, etc.
• HIV-infected patients.
• People travelling to endemic areas. People capable of transmitting
influenza to those at high risk:
• Healthcare workers, doctors and nurses.
• People employed in nursing homes or institutions that care for
chronically ill patients.
• People who assist patients at their home.
• Family members of a high-risk patient.
Other groups:
• People who provide essential services to the population (firemen,
emergency services, security forces, civil defense, etc).
• Members of closed communities.
• General population who needs to be protected against flu (the WHO
recommends universal application of the vaccine).
After vaccination against influenza, antibody levels reach their
protection peak around the second week. Such level remains stable
for one year.
© HC-HealthComm GmbH, Neikesstrasse 3, 66111 Saarbrücken
Telephone-No.:+49 (0)681 9590210-13
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.hc-healthcomm.com
All rights reserved
Anejo Health Communication www.anejo.eu
Although the information about medication given in this book has
been carefully checked, the author and publisher accept no liability for
the accuracy of this information.
In every individual case the user must check such information by
consulting the relevant literature.
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the
whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of
translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting,
reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data
banks.
