Question

This discussion will require an original post of at least 400 words by Thursday. You will also need to respond to two peers by Saturday.

Explain the differences between influenza A and B. How are they transmitted? Which one poses the greatest risk to humans? Why? Define and explain the most effective ways to reduce the impact of influenza. How does misinformation about some of these interventions hurt our ability to reduce the transmission of influenza? In thinking about the individual's rights versus the public good, since influenza can cause tens of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, should colleges and universities require students to get the annual flu shot? Explain your position.

Answer 1

ANSWERS:

Influenza is a type of viral infection that infect the nose, throat, and lungs of an individual. It can cause mild to severe infections and diseases and may cause death of an individual. The main symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose. muscle or body aches, fatigue, heaaches, etc. The viruses spread through air by sneezing, coughing, talking with infected people. Also close contact with flu infected person and touching of surface or objects that has flu virus on it, and touching their own mouth, nose can infect a person. The viruses enter the body through the mucus membranes of the nose, eyes or mouth. The incubation period of influenza virus is about 1-4 days.

There are different types of influenza viruses. They are type A, B, and C. Generally type A and B are considerd as common seasonal epidemics in the world.

Type A influenza virus is divided into subtypes based on the presence of two proteins on the surface of the virus. These proteins are called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are also 18 different hemagglutinin subtypes. But only H1, H2, H3 are commonly circulate in humans. There are also11 different neuraminidase sub types. However, only N1 and N2 are found in humans. Hemaggluttin and neuraminidase are generally antigens, which is responsible for the production of antibodies. Generally commonly infected influenza viruses in individuals are A(H1N1) and A(H3N2).

Influenza B type virus are not divided into subtypes, but seperated into two genetic lineages. They are B/Yamagata and b/Victoria. Generally Influenza B viruses are slow in their genetic and antigenic properties than influenza A type virus. Type B virus generally cause less severe infection in humans. Thus Influenze type A virus causes greatest risk in humans.

The effective way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated each year. Hygenic habits like covering the mouth with cloth when coughing and wash the clothes and hands properly stops the spreading of germs and prevent the inluenza infections. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid contact with sick people and going in crowded places. Take medication like antiviral drugs to reduce the symptoms from influenza infection. Take appropriate rest when influenza is infected. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent lose of vital fluids from the body. If bathing is necssary bath with warm water only.

The misinformation hurts the ability to reduce the influenza virus transmission very fastly. The misinformation creates non hygenic habits to individuals that results the spread of the virus fastly. Also the importance of vaccination against the influenza virus should be correctly performed to each individual. Misinformation ragarding the vaccination process creates increasing the number of infections in the society.

In my opinion the students of all colleges and universties must take the annual flu shot to prevent the spreading of influenza virus infection. The annual flu shot provides certain immunity to the students to fight against the influenza virus infection. This process prevents the transmission of influenza virus in the society. Also the annual immunization programs prevents deaths and hospitalizations of tens of thousands individuals from the influenza virus illness and diseases.