Pathology

= Influenza Pathology =

Influenza is a RNA virus which undergoes mutation easily and can be hard to predict. There are three subtypes of Influenza are A, B and C. These subtypes further divide into various strains of the influenza virus. H1N1 and H3N2 are strains of influenza A virus for example and are currently in circulation throughout the world right now. Type C on the other hand is rare and for that reason it is not included in the seasonal Influenza vaccine 11]

Infection is transmitted via airborne droplets or nuclei into the respiratory system. Indirect contact and subsequent transferal to the respiratory system is also possible 12] Influenza infections can be a short lived illness lasting as little as two weeks. Various complications are also possible which may cause prolonged illness or death.

Influenza has caused several pandemics claiming millions of lives. A great number of which were the result of secondary bacterial infection. As an example of this “Streptococcus pneumonia” a type of bacterial pneumonia was the primary pathogen responsible for death during the 1918 -1919 H1N1 pandemic. Bacterial infection is now largely treatable with antibiotics thus reducing the number of fatal cases. 23]