Influenza Disease Common and Scientific Name: This is the Influenza Disease, which is also known as “The Flu”. It can be caused by the viruses Orthomyxoviridae Influenza Virus (A)(B)(C)(D).
Classification:The classification for Influenza is Virus, Orthomyxoviridae, Orthomyxovirus Influenza (A)(B)(C)(D)Orthomyxoviruses are usually sphere-shaped and range in between 80-120 nanometers diameter wise. These are usually six to eight segments of linear, single-stranded RNA. Influenza viruses are categorized into types A, B, C, and D according to the variation in nucleoprotein antigen. The difference is that in types A and B the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens experience genetic variation, which causes new strains. Type C is antigenically stable. Symptoms:Initial symptoms include fever (typically above 100°F), fatigue, nasal congestion, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, chills, diarrhea, and sweats.Advanced symptoms include cardiovascular system failure, respiratory system failure, kidney failure, and pneumonia these symptoms are rare and usually only appear in the elderly.
Mode of Transmission and Geographic Location:Influenza can be contacted due to close contact with infected individuals, touching contaminated Influenza actually originated in Spain, but since then it has spread and occurs worldwide.Treatment:Some initial treatments are drinking plenty of fluids, rest, pain relievers (optional), antiviral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza.There are no long term treatments for Influenza specifically, but there are many long term treatments for its complications such as diuretic medication (cardiovascular system failure), getting a tracheostomy (respiratory system failure), or receiving a kidney transplant (kidney failure).Prognosis:It would take a week or two to recover from the flu.
Around 40,000 people die from Influenza a year of the 200,000 people who get it. The mortality rate of Influenza is <.1% when patients are treated, untreated, the mortality rate can rise to 2.5% (seasonal flu). The life expectancy for someone infected with Influenza is still 79-81 just like every other person, but in some cases, Influenza A can cause different strains that cause pandemics or more serious illnesses such as the bird flu, which is caused by the avian influenza virus.
In this case the mortality rate can rise up to 60%. (Death is more common in the elderly and infants.)Prevention:You could prevent Influenza from spreading by receiving a flu shot every year, washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes, avoiding crowds, and keeping physical contact with others at a minimum.