Epidemiology Paper: Influenza Virus

Epidemiology Paper
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Institution
Epidemiology of Influenza
Infectious diseases occur due to virus or bacteria through contamination with a surface, fluids, air, and human contact. Moreover, these diseases are a primary cause of mortality and morbidity in disastrous circumstances. The risk of these diseases is measured by the demographic statistics of the population affected. However, besides the size of the people infected, the population's characteristics are also significant in determining the disease's severity. While some exist mildly, others could cause severe detrimental effects on human health. Several conditions fall under the category of infectious diseases. Examples of infectious diseases include; Measles, Polio, Hepatitis B, Ebola, Chickenpox, tuberculosis, and Influenza. However, the paper focuses on the Epidemiology of Influenza primarily caused by the virus.
Influenza, also called flu, Is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that infect the throat, nose, and lungs. There are four different influenza viruses: Influenza A, B,& C, depending on their nucleoproteins (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Furthermore, Influenza viruses are scientifically categorized in the family Orthomyxoviridae. Among them, influenza A and B are the most common viruses associated with seasonal epidemics. The disease is spread when a healthy individual inhales droplets from an infected person. Transmission could result from speaking, coughing, or sneezing.
Moreover, the period between exposure and the symptomatic stage ranges between one to four days. Some of these symptoms associated with Influenza include high body temperature, sore throat, cough, headache, tiredness, nausea, and diarrhea (predominantly common among children). However, if the virus attacks the stomach, an individual may experience gastrointestinal distress. Flu shares several similarities in symptoms with other viral or bacterial respiratory illnesses. However, there are medical tests available for diagnosing flu. Furthermore, the treatment of flu illness depends on administering influenza antiviral drugs. Also, there is a provision for an annual flu vaccine that has proven to reduce flu-related infections and flu complications that result in death.
The prevalence of Influenza was marked by the onset of the influenza A(H1N1) virus In 2009, which caused the first global flu pandemic. Information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that, on average, 8% of the US population a diagnosed with the flu every season. Furthermore, children have been identified as the most vulnerable group, most likely to be infected by the virus. Moreover, adults above65 years of age, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions are also considered susceptible to the infection. Moreover, Influenza leads to an estimated 1/4 million deaths during periods of elevated infections referred to as flu seasons (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). The high mortality rate associated with Influenza is due to the body's inability to receive sufficient oxygen due to the compromise on the lower respiratory system, which leads to death. Flu can be spread from one person to another for an indivi...