Influenza Virus
By: Madisian McDOWELL
What is Influenza Virus?
•Influenza has 3 different types, A, B, and C
•Human influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics of disease almost every winter in the United States. The Influenza disease is very contagious.
•Influenza B viruses are not divided in to subtypes, but can be further broken down into lineages and strains.
•Type C viruses are much less severe than the others.
Flu Vaccination-
•Influenza vaccines, also known as flu shots, are vaccines that protect against Influenza. A new version of the vaccine is developed twice a year as the influenza virus rapidly changes. The shots usually provides high protection from the influenza virus.
Flu Vaccination Effectiveness-
•Vaccination helps protect women during pregnancy and their babies for up to 6 months after they are born. One study showing that giving flu vaccine to pregnant women was 92% effective in preventing hospitalization of infants for flu.
Possible Side Effects From Getting the Flu Shot-
•Soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site
•Fainting, mainly I adolescents
•Aches fever
•Nausea
Supply and Distribution-
•The challenges associated with the US influenza vaccine supply are multi- faceted.
Controversy Over the Flu Vaccination-
•An increasing number of researchers, academics and doctors are questioning the scientific basis for an influenza vaccine at all. Some point out that the influenza virus isn’t the cause of most flue- like illnesses, diminishing the advantage that widespread vaccination confers. Others say the flu shots don’t work well for the most vulnerable among us, including the elderly, because their immune systems are too weak to respond.
Infectious Diseases Scientists-
•An infectious disease specialist is a doctor of internal who is qualified as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. After seven or more years of medical school and postgraduate training, ID specialists complete two to three years of additional training in infectious diseases.
Medical Scientists-
•A medical scientist is someone who studies and practices medicine and researches and diagnosis the human body with certain diseases or infections.
Biotechnology-
•Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use"
Biochemist-
•chemist that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms. Researches and deals with the chemical compounds of illnesses.
Virologist-
•a branch of science that deals with viruses and viral diseases, also names and researches viral diseases.
Epidemiologist-
•Epidemiology is the study of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is the cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare.