Question

Patricia was called at work by a woman at the local daycare center. She told Patricia to come and pick up her son because he was not feeling well. Her son, 3½-year-old Marshall, had been feeling tired and achy when he woke up. While at daycare, his cheeks had become red and he was warm to touch. He did not want to play with his friends, and by the time Patricia arrived, he was crying. Later that afternoon, Marshall’s condition worsened. He had fever, chills, a sore throat, runny nose, and a dry hacking cough. Suspecting Marshall had influenza, Patricia wrapped him up and took him to the community health care clinic. (Learning Objective: 1)

1. Why did Marshall’s presentation lead Patricia to think he had influenza and not a cold? Why is it important to medically evaluate and diagnose a potential influenza infection?

2. Describe the pathophysiology of the influenza virus. Outline the properties of influenza A antigens that allow them to exert their effects in the host.

3. Marshall may be at risk at contracting secondary bacterial pneumonia. Why is this so? Explain why cyanosis may be a feature associated with pneumonia.

Answer 1

ANSWERS :

1. Marshall is exhibiting the characteristics of red and warm cheeks on touching, fever with chills, sore throat, running nose, dry cough which of all are the indications of Influenza but not cold.

Based on the symptoms it is important to evaluate and make diagnostic findings for Influenza infection. The diagnostic evaluations are as follows :

* RIDTs - Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests. This test identifies viral antigens in 10-15 minutes,and has to taken by use of swab sample test at the back of nose or throat

* Viral culture test for influenza infection.

2. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF INFLUENZA VIRUS :

When influenza virus enters into human body through respiratory tract or with salivary contact or respiratory secretions from a infected person leads to -

Virus attaches to the lining of epithelial cells and starts multiplying , it leads to -

Production of symptoms - cough, weakness, sore throat occur after two weeks of infection.

EFFECTS OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS :

* High fever

* Body pains

* Running nose

* Tiredness

* Fatigue

* Headache

* Respiratory inflammation

* Cough

* Sneezing