lower respiratory epithelium destroyed and virus released to infect other cells; possible bacterial secondary infection from damaged mucocilliary escalatorĀ (usu. bacterial bronchitis)
Epidemiology of Influenza
droplet transfer (coughing); antigenic drift and antigenic shift prevent immunity
Treatment of Influenza
specific antibioticsĀ are sometimes effective for preventing type A, but not B disease; neuramidase inhibitors are effective against both; meds are only effective if there is early treatment. Vaccines are 80-90% effective.
Antigenic drift
slight changes in a viral surface antigen that render antibodies made against a previous version ineffective
Antigenic shift
uncommon, major changes in a viral surface antigen that render antibodies made against a previous version ineffective
Swine flu
H1N1. Assortment of a bird, pig and human segments