Influenza

=Influenza =

**__Description of virus that causes the disease. __**
 - influenza virus is very contagious  - can strike remarkably large numbers of people in a relatively short time  - common types of the influenza virus are A and B - responsible for a disease commonly called "the flu." - RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals - Influenza spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics - make up three of the five genera of the family Orthomyxoviridae - Influenza virus can range in size from 80- 120 nanometers (nanometer=1 billionth of a meter) - spherical shaped - envelope protecting the nucleic acid with glycoprotein spikes attached

  - constant changing often enables the virus to evade the immune system of the host ( changing meaning mutating )  - influenza is a respiratory infection - virus specificity of human in vitro cytotoxic T cell responses to influenza virus
 * __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Viral Specificity: __**

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 * __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Below: On Earth, a smaller T-cell (arrow) attacks and kills a much larger influenza virus-infected target __**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Chills, Moderate to high fever (101° to 103° Fahrenheit), Sore throat, Runny nose, Muscle aches, Headaches, Fatigue, Cough, Dizziness. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - happens the most in the winter, strongest during flu season <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - influenza virus is constantly changing
 * __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">﻿Symptoms and progression of the disease: __**

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - typically is spread by air or by direct contact from one person to another <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">- three ways: (1) by direct contact with infected individuals; <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">(2) by contact with contaminated objects (called fomites, such as toys, doorknobs); <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">and (3) by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols.
 * __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Common Methods of Transmission: __**

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿**__Treatment and Prevention (if any):__** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - lots of rest <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - bed rest <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">- during flu season make sure you wash your hands more <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - keep hands away from eyes, ears, and month during flu season <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">- avoid smoking

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - 35000 people die yearly in the United States <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - don't get vaccinated if your allergic to eggs <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - a world wide epidemic in 1918 the influenza virus killed 50 million people <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">- affects birds and mammals <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - most likely to get it in late fall and winter <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - children 6-23 months are in greater risk of getting complications and dying <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - 4000-8000 canadiens die each year <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> - flu vaccines have been around since 1940
 * __<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Miscellaneous: __**

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**__<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Resources accessed: __**
<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> http://www.medicinenet.com/influenza/article.htm <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> http://viraldiseasesd.wikispaces.com/Influenza <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/2/660 <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://www.historyofinfluenza.com/ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_size_of_the_influenza_virus