Viral Attack
The influenza virus is a bit of protein, a membrane surrounding eight genes.
It is a simple but sophisticated killing machine with a mission to multiply.
The flu virus takes the shape of a sphere with spikes protruding from its surface.
The spikes are primarily invaders that attach epithelial cells on the surface of mucous membranes in the airways of animals.
The spikes, composed of a glycoprotein called hemagglutunin, bind to a cell and hold the virus tightly to the cell’s wall while the virus creates a hole in the cell.
Then the virus simply slips through this hole in the cell.
Once the influenza virus hides inside the cell, the body’s immune system cannot find it and destroy it.
The virus then has all the time it needs to do its work.
Thus sneak attach is a special trick of the influenza virus, and account s for its great success.
Viral Attack
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Flu season
The Flu season
People are more likely to get flu between October and April. The worst months for infection in the northern hemisphere are December though March.
Scientists are not completely sure why this flu “flu season” exists every year but they have a few ideas.
First, the flu virus survives better in cool and wet weather.
It is possible that the viruses can survive longer outside a person’s body, as when they are sneezed out, when the weather is cool.
Also, the people tend to crowd together during the colder months.
Flu viruses have short distances to travel because windows are tightly shut. Many holidays also take place during the colder months of the year.
Wherever people gather to celebrate, the festivity can become a party for viruses, too.
They can easily move from person to person in a crowded space.
But people can get the flu any time of year especially due to the number of people who travel around the world.
Influenza viruses exist around the world. People may carry the viruses with them when they travel, exposing fellow travelers regardless of the time of year.
The Flu season
People are more likely to get flu between October and April. The worst months for infection in the northern hemisphere are December though March.
Scientists are not completely sure why this flu “flu season” exists every year but they have a few ideas.
First, the flu virus survives better in cool and wet weather.
It is possible that the viruses can survive longer outside a person’s body, as when they are sneezed out, when the weather is cool.
Also, the people tend to crowd together during the colder months.
Flu viruses have short distances to travel because windows are tightly shut. Many holidays also take place during the colder months of the year.
Wherever people gather to celebrate, the festivity can become a party for viruses, too.
They can easily move from person to person in a crowded space.
But people can get the flu any time of year especially due to the number of people who travel around the world.
Influenza viruses exist around the world. People may carry the viruses with them when they travel, exposing fellow travelers regardless of the time of year.
The Flu season
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Influenza - aetiology and history
Influenza - aetiology and history
Influenza or simply “flu”, is caused by virus. It occurs no only in occasional major pandemic outbreaks but also in epidemics of variables severity almost every winter.
The term “influenza” has been derived from the Italian influential in the mind-1300s, indicating that, at the time, the illness was believed to result from astrological influences.
Yet, the aetiology of the disease and the explanation for its peculiar behavior remained elusive.
At the turn of the 19th century, influenza was thought to be to a bacterial infection with Haemophilus influenzae.
It was not until 1931 that Richard Shope showed that swine influenza could be transmitted with filtered mucus, indicating that causative agent was a virus.
A few years later, Smith and co-workers isolated the influenza virus from humans with respiratory illness.
The burden of influenza for society, not only from a clinical but also from an economic perspective is often underestimated.
This related particularly to the recurring annual winter epidemics.
Fortunately since the virus was first discovered, efficient means to contain the infection have been developed.
Vaccination is the cornerstone of influenza prevention and control.
Influenza - aetiology and history
Influenza or simply “flu”, is caused by virus. It occurs no only in occasional major pandemic outbreaks but also in epidemics of variables severity almost every winter.
The term “influenza” has been derived from the Italian influential in the mind-1300s, indicating that, at the time, the illness was believed to result from astrological influences.
Yet, the aetiology of the disease and the explanation for its peculiar behavior remained elusive.
At the turn of the 19th century, influenza was thought to be to a bacterial infection with Haemophilus influenzae.
It was not until 1931 that Richard Shope showed that swine influenza could be transmitted with filtered mucus, indicating that causative agent was a virus.
A few years later, Smith and co-workers isolated the influenza virus from humans with respiratory illness.
The burden of influenza for society, not only from a clinical but also from an economic perspective is often underestimated.
This related particularly to the recurring annual winter epidemics.
Fortunately since the virus was first discovered, efficient means to contain the infection have been developed.
Vaccination is the cornerstone of influenza prevention and control.
Influenza - aetiology and history
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Sign and Symptoms of Influenza Infection
Sign and Symptoms of Influenza Infection
There are no specific physical examination findings associated with influenza.
The patient usually appears ill and has fever. A clear nasal discharge is common.
A typical uncomplicated case of influenza illness begins abruptly and is manifested by sore throat, headache, fever, chills, myalgias, anorexia and extreme fatigue.
Fever is usually between 38 and 40 degree C but may be higher and usually lasts for -3 days (but < 5 days).
Other respiratory tract manifestations include cough, which is usually non productive, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Substernal tenderness, photophobia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea occur less frequently.
Despite severe sore throat, the mucous membranes of the pharynx may be unremarkable or hyperemic without exudates.
Small tender cervical lymph nodes may palpable and the lungs are usually clear, although scattered rhonchi and crackles can be heard in as many as a quarter of patients.
In elderly, fever may be absent and the presenting signs may be anorexia, lassitude confusion and rhinitis.
In children, fevers are often higher and can lead to febrile seizure.
Gastrointestinal manifestations, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and other complications such as myositis, croup (tracheobronchitis), and otitis media also occur more frequently in children.
Unexplained fever may be the primary manifestation in neonates.
Sign and Symptoms of Influenza Infection
There are no specific physical examination findings associated with influenza.
The patient usually appears ill and has fever. A clear nasal discharge is common.
A typical uncomplicated case of influenza illness begins abruptly and is manifested by sore throat, headache, fever, chills, myalgias, anorexia and extreme fatigue.
Fever is usually between 38 and 40 degree C but may be higher and usually lasts for -3 days (but < 5 days).
Other respiratory tract manifestations include cough, which is usually non productive, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Substernal tenderness, photophobia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea occur less frequently.
Despite severe sore throat, the mucous membranes of the pharynx may be unremarkable or hyperemic without exudates.
Small tender cervical lymph nodes may palpable and the lungs are usually clear, although scattered rhonchi and crackles can be heard in as many as a quarter of patients.
In elderly, fever may be absent and the presenting signs may be anorexia, lassitude confusion and rhinitis.
In children, fevers are often higher and can lead to febrile seizure.
Gastrointestinal manifestations, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and other complications such as myositis, croup (tracheobronchitis), and otitis media also occur more frequently in children.
Unexplained fever may be the primary manifestation in neonates.
Sign and Symptoms of Influenza Infection
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