It was well known that influenza was one of the most spread and dangerous diseases in the past. Also, it was a fatal epidemic especially in America and Spain, and it caused the death for millions in 20th century. Now, Influenza is not a real life-threatening but it is still serious illness (1). So, what is the influenza? And what are its symptoms? And how many kind of Influenza are there? Influenza is a viral disease that infects the respiratory system, and it can be a deadly illness in some cases (2), moreover, it has several symptoms and three main kinds (3).
Where did the word (Influenza) come from? The word (Influenza) is an Italian word, yet it arises for the first time in English because they needed to give name for a disease during the European epidemic, so they took that term and used it. But what does (influenza) mean? It means “visitation or influence (of the stars)”. In addition, the word (Influenza) was derived from the Latin word (influential) (3).
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Usually, influenza can be treated and the majority of people can get cured from it, but in some cases it can cause the death for particular people. Pregnant women and obese patients have high possibility to die if they get infected by influenza. Furthermore, the chance of die increases when the age is less than 5 years (especially the children with 2 years) or adults whose ages are older than 65 years, people with weak immune system, and people who suffer from chronic diseases (2). Sometimes, some patients need to sleep in hospital especially young children and older people
Influenza is an infectious illness that can be spread from one individual to the next. It can be transmitted by means of saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. It can also be spread by coming in contact with the virus on contaminated surfaces. Influenza is responsible for an average of 36,000 deaths and for more than 226,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. (Davidson, 2007-2009, Davis, 2007).
First of all, the name “Influenza” is derived from the Latin word for “influence”, and it is an infectious disease that is caused by the RNA viruses from the Orthomyxoviridae family:
Influenza is very contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Influenza causes worldwide yearly epidemics. According to World Health organization Influenza affects 5-15% world’s population and resulting in 500,000 deaths yearly. Ottenberg stated that, in United States, an average of 200,000 were hospitalized and 36,000 died each year from influenza complications. Influenza is the sixth leading cause of death among US adults and is related to 1 in 20 death in persons older than 65 years. Disease control and prevention estimates indicate that infections like H1N1 which is one of the types of influenza, have resulted in an estimated 42 to 86 million cases and 8520 to 17620 deaths. As I mentioned earlier that infections like
This paper will discuss the communicable disease influenza. It will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments, as well as the demographics of interest. It will also discuss the determinants of health and how these factors contribute to the development of influenza. Included in this paper will be information on host, agent, and environmental factors. Lastly it will explain the role of the community health nurse in caring for those affected with influenza and the role they play in education and prevention.
This new influenza baffled researchers and doctors everywhere. Up to this point, all viral diseases has spread prominently throughout heavily populated areas and into the lungs of the very young, very old, or sickly. On the contrary, the Influenza of 1918 swept through the Midwest and preyed on the
Influenza, also known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the upper respiratory tract. Flu season typically lasts between the months of October and April. Signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, and headaches. Individuals that are at a high risk of getting the flu include: children under the age of two, persons 65 and older, pregnant women, and persons with a chronic illness. Environment factors can also increase the risk of contracting the flu. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration, or worsening of chronic medical conditions. The influenza virus could eventually lead to longer hospitalization or death if left untreated. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Compliance with the vaccination is also important in preventing the flu.
One can claim that influenza is an infection that has victimized people from just about every generation that we have known. The term Influenza comes from the Latin word "influentia", first used by the Italians in the 1600's. It is a highly contagious infection particulary of the respiratory tract.In addition to us humans, influenza can occur in pigs, horses, and several other mammals as well as in certain wild and birds. It can also jump from specie to specie as observed in late 1997 when influenza from chickens was having its effects on people in Hong Kong. Because influenza is highly contagious and spreads easily, it has appeared in our history many a times as epidemics. Influenza is caused by an
The influenza virus is “an acute respiratory tract illness, with outbreaks occuring annually that are responsible for large numbers of hospitalization and death worldwide” (Dool et al. 314-319). The influenza virus has a few common symptoms that
Influenza, an innocent little virus that annually comes and goes, has always been a part of people’s lives. Knowing this, one would not believe that it has caused not one, not two, but three pandemics and is on its way to causing a fourth! The Spanish flu of 1918, the Asian flu of 1957, and the Hong Kong
Influenza fortunately can be prevented in most cases. You can prevent it through an annual vaccination. The vaccine is made up of 8 to 10 strains of the influenza virus. When you receive the vaccination the strains have been “killed”, so there is no possible way for you to get this illness just by receiving the vaccination. Your body recognizes the unknown strains and builds up immunity so if a “live” virus gets in your system your body has the correct code to “kill” it off.
Avian influenza is a disease that has been wreaking havoc on human populations since the 16th century. With the recent outbreak in 1997 of a new H5N1 avian flu subtype, the world has begun preparing for a pandemic by looking upon its past affects. In the 20th Century, the world witnessed three pandemics in the years of 1918, 1957, and 1968. In 1918 no vaccine, antibiotic, or clear recognition of the disease was known. Killing over 40 million in less than a year, the H1N1 strain ingrained a deep and lasting fear of the virus throughout the world. Though 1957 and 1968 brought on milder pandemics, they still killed an estimated 3 million people and presented a new
Every year, many people get influenza all over the world and sometime this disease causes death. Medical care has been improved, but it is difficult to prevent influenza. People get it easily. According to Mortada, during the ful season of 2012 to 2013, the disease has caused 111 deaths (Mortada, 16). We have to prevent ourselves from the disease as much as we can. Otherwise, it would be infect to other people including family, friends, classmates, coworkers, and more. To prevent influenza, we must have strong immune system and get vaccinations that are suited for each person.
Influenza was one of the very common disease seen in war. it was the pandemic 1918- 1919, this year was put down as one of the global disasters. Influenza is a very contagious viral infection respiratory passages causing fever, the effects of this disease are a cough ,sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, always very
Influenza is one of the most contagious illnesses caused by airborne viruses. I can lead to mild or severe illness and even death. Influenza can come suddenly and is marginally different to a ‘Cold”. The virus can cause infections of the lower respiratory tract (lungs) and the upper respiratory tract (throat, nasal). Influenza is disease that may cause symptom such as the following; fever (high body temperature), sore throat, muscle or body aches, cough, Headaches, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue/tiredness (CDC, 2016). it belongs to “Orthomyxoviridae” family of infections, “myxa” meaning ‘mucus’ in Greek. There are three major types of influenza that may also be addressed as different terminologies, such as flu
Background & Audience Relevance: Influenza is an infection that can affect anyone around the world. Am quite sure almost everyone, if not all of us, have been infected with influenza at some point in our lives.