Influenza Virus Infection: Overview, Pathophysiology, and Nursing Intervention

This assignment provides an overview of the influenza virus infection, the signs and symptoms associated with the disease, physiology and the homeostasis. It also focuses on the pathophysiology and the pharmacodynamics of the infection. The assignment gives an account of antivirals like Tamiflu and discusses the important role of nurses in managing the spread of the disease.

Abstract
Introduction: Influenza is one of the most contagious and acute disease of the respiratory system
that is caused by influenza A virus subtype. The viral disease can lead to mild to severe illness.
Furthermore, influenza A can predispose exacerbations of underlying disease as well as
development of secondary bacterial infections (Bui et al., 2017). According to the World Health
Organization, certain groups of people are at higher risks of influenza infections than the others.
They include pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people suffering from certain
chronic conditions. Influenza virus affects both animals and humans. Studies indicate that those
that affect humans mostly circulate in seasonal epidemics (Artiaga et al., 2016).
Purpose: These assignment will provide an overview of the influenza virus infection, the signs
and symptoms associated with the disease, physiology and the homeostasis. This will also focus
on the pathophysiology and the pharmacodynamics of the infection. The assignment will give an
account of antivirals like Tamiflu. Finally, it has also been discussed how the nurses play an
important role in managing the spread of the disease.
Discussion: The virus that attacks humans usually target the respiratory system. The virus is
harbored in body fluids mostly mucous and one can be infected once in contact with the virus.
Once in the body, influenza virus attack the epithelial cells of the respiratory system.
Hemagglutinin, a glycoprotein, normally attach on the proteins of the epithelial cells (Liu et al.,
2016). The enzyme neuraminidase then cleaves the sialic acids of the host cells and this
facilitates replication of the virus. This leads to signs and symptoms such as sore throat,
headache, fatigue and weakness and finally malaise. Randomized Controlled Trials indicate that
in order to treat the disease, there is the need to prevent replication. This can be done with the

help of Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) a drug that inhibits the action of neuraminidase which is
responsible for the replication of the influenza virus (Shin et al., 2017). The drug is administered
orally and it is contraindicated among individuals that are hypersensitive and should be used
cautiously among patients with chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases. The disease has side
effects such as insomnia, headache, fatigue and dizziness.
Conclusion: Influenza and its complications are sometimes fatal, it is therefore necessary for
urgent nursing intervention before the situation gets worse (Minodier et al., 2015). Nurses may
play an important role in the reduction of spread of influenza in the community and their attitude
and knowledge can increase the vaccination rate (Smith, Sim & Halcomb, 2016).

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