NR 503 Week 5 Assignment: Infectious Disease Paper – Influenza

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Influenza, also known as Flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that occurs when influenza viruses infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs (CDC, 2017). These viruses can cause mild to sever... e illness, and possibly could even lead to death. When a person becomes infected with the flu, symptoms usually have a sudden onset and can be any or all of the following: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body ache or fatigue. Some people, especially young children, may experience vomiting and diarrhea. According to the CDC (2017), flu viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk, spreading these droplets to the mouths and noses of people who are nearby. Flu can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has been contaminated by the virus and them touching their own nose, mouth or even possibly their eyes (CDC, 2017). Persons with flu may also experience bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infection, and even a worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes (CDC, 2017, p.2). According to the CDC (2017), a reported 323,127,513 cases of flu were recorded in the United States for the 2016-2017 Influenza Season and of those about 49,000 were deaths. The flu is generally a mild illness and most people will not require medical care or antiviral medications. Flu recovery is estimated to be less than two weeks unless complications would arise from the virus such as pneumonia or bronchitis (WVDHHR, 2018). Flu can be detrimental for people with underlying medical conditions that can only be worsened by the virus. People with asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, kidney disorders such as sickle cell disease, liver disorders, kidney disorders, weakened immune systems due to disease or medication, or people with extreme obesity are all individuals who could possibly have detrimental health effects if they contract the flu. This may be attributed to individuals having more contact with the public at routine doctor visits or picking up medications that would expose they’re compromised systems to more viruses such as the flu. According to Konig et al. (2014) over 200 host factors are confirmed to be required for influenza virus growth and a subset of genes revealed 23 factors necessary for entry of the virus. Agent factors for influenza viruses are classified within the family of Orthomyxoviridae with three viral sup-types, influenza type A, Type B, and type C (Konig et al., 2014). Both direct and indirect modes of transmission (direct and indirect) such as contaminated hands play an important role in carrying the virus (Pica & Bouvier, 2015). Droplet spray produced by coughing or sneezing or aerosol transmission through the air by aerosols are other environmental factors that play a role in the transmission of the influenza virus (Pica & Bouvier, 2015). As an advanced practice nurse, the first and most important contribution to [Show More]

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