Influenza (Flu)
by: Chase Panno
Symptoms
- feverish chills
- coughing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- muscle pains
- headaches
- tiredness
Causes of Influenza
Immune Cells That Help Fight Infection (Immune Response)
- macrophages
- neutrophils
- natural killer cells
- eosinophils
- basophils
- mast cells
How It Replicates?
Treatment
Influenza can be treated with an antiviral drug which could be in the form of a pill, liquid, inhaled powder, or intravenous solution. Oseltamivir, zanamivir, or peramivir are the main antiviral drugs that you can take. These antiviral drugs help decrease the ability for the influenza to reproduce and spread. Antiviral drugs are usually pre-made antibodies which cost more than vaccines. This is because in vaccines your body is given an antigen so your body then makes the antibody.
Prevention
You can prevent yourself from getting the flu virus by getting vaccines. Vaccines usually take about 2 weeks to start producing an antibody. There are many different types of flu shots you can receive. There are many types of flu shots which are categorized by the patient's age, what they are allergic to, and the cost of the vaccine. The proper type of the flu vaccine is determined by the patient's physician.