What Really are Influenza Viruses?

Various forms of Influenza Viruses by Vinay Choubey

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). In people, common symptoms are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal particularly in young children and the elderly. Sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and caused by a different type of virus. Similarly, the unrelated gastroenteritis is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".

Types of influenza virus
The influenza virus is an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, which comprises the influenzaviruses, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. There are three types of influenza virus: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B or Influenzavirus C. Influenza A and C infect multiple species, while influenza B almost exclusively infects humans.

The type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the most severe disease. The Influenza A virus can be subdivided into different serotypes based on the antibody response to these viruses.

Influenza B virus is almost exclusively a human pathogen, and is less common than influenza A. The only other animal known to be susceptible to influenza B infection is the seal. This type of influenza mutates at a rate 2-3 times lower than type A and consequently is less genetically diverse, with only one influenza B serotype. As a result of this lack of antigenic diversity, a degree of immunity to influenza B is usually acquired at an early age.

The influenza C virus infects humans and pigs, and can cause severe illness and local epidemics. However, influenza C is less common than the other types and usually seems to cause mild disease in children.

PATHOGENESIS AND DISEASE

Spread
The virus is spread person to person via small particle aerosols (less than 10μm diameter) that can get into respiratory tract. It can also survive for a short time on surfaces and can be spread by this route if the virus is introduced into the nasal mucosa before it loses infectivity. The incubation period is short, about 18 to 72 hours.
Virus concentration in nasal and tracheal secretions remains high for 24 to 48 hours after symptoms start and may last longer in children. Titers are usually high and so there are enough infectious virions in a small droplet to start a new infection.

Site of infection
Influenza virus infects the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. The cells die, in part due to the direct effects of the virus on the cell, and also possibly due to the effects of interferon. Cell death at later times may also result from the actions of cytotoxic T-cells. As a result, the efficiency of ciliary clearance is reduced, leading to impaired function of the mucus elevator; thus there is reduced clearance of infectious agents from the respiratory tract. Gaps in the protective epithelium provide other pathogens with access to other cells; however, viremia is very rare.

Recovery
Interferon may play a role by decreasing virus production. Many of the symptoms of uncomplicated influenza (muscle aches, fatigue, fever) are associated with the efficient induction of interferon. The
cell-mediated immune response is important in viral clearance. The antibody response is usually not significant until after virus has been cleared. Repair of the respiratory epithelium begins rapidly, but may take some time to complete.


Vinay Choubey
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Keep Stress Levels Low To Help Manage Asthma Symptoms

When responsibilities pile up, it's easy for even the healthiest individuals to get overwhelmed--but stress may be especially problematic for the 8.5 million adults with asthma.

Approximately 43 percent of adults suffer adverse health effects from stress, and while most people are aware that stress can lead to heart problems, many do not realize that it is a common asthma trigger and can worsen asthma symptoms in some people. "When your life feels like it's spinning out of control and you're on a roller coaster of emotions, the last thing you want to worry about is aggravating your asthma," said Cheryl Nason, author of "The Fun Factor: Your Prescription for Stress Relief at Work and at Home." "So it's important to take action to control your stress."

Understanding Stress

And Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is accompanied by the tightening of the muscles surrounding the lungs' airways. This causes the airways to narrow and can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightening of the chest cavity.

"There is emerging evidence suggesting that stress can contribute to asthma worsening," said Dr. Bruce Prenner, physician and principal investigator for the Allergy Associates Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego, Calif. "The mechanism involved has not been established but may involve chemicals released by the body during times of stress that can cause the airways to tighten and narrow."

Unfortunately, stress is a part of daily life, but if you understand the relationship between stress and asthma and practice ways to manage stress, you may be able to help your asthma management.

On Your Way To Control

While practicing healthy coping techniques can help control stress, no one should try to tackle asthma on their own. Visit control-your-asthma.com to learn more about asthma, but for proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options, Prenner recommends visiting a doctor who can provide support.

"Asthma can affect everyone differently, which is why I encourage people to talk with their health care provider," Prenner said.

According to accepted asthma guidelines, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred foundation treatment for mild to moderate persistent asthma. ASMANEX® TWISTHALER® 220 mcg (mometasone furoate inhalation powder) is the only inhaled asthma-control therapy approved for once-daily initiation and management of asthma symptoms in patients previously treated with a rescue or maintenance inhaler. Patients previously treated with oral steroids will need twice-daily dosing.

"By monitoring the frequency and severity of a patient's symptoms, physicians can help determine appropriate asthma therapy," said Prenner. "I've found that I'm able to control many of my patients' asthma symptoms with an inhaled corticosteroid, like ASMANEX, along with the occasional use of a rescue inhaler."

"Controlling your stress should always be top priority on your 'to do' list," said Nason. "After all, stress management is a key to good health."



ASMANEX TWISTHALER 220 mcg (mometasone furoate inhalation powder) is for the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients 12 years of age and older. ASMANEX TWISTHALER is also for asthma patients who are taking oral steroids where it may reduce or eliminate the need for oral steroids. ASMANEX TWISTHALER will NOT relieve sudden asthma symptoms. The most common side effects with ASMANEX TWISTHALER include headache, allergic rhinitis, sore throat and upper respiratory infection. ASMANEX TWISTHALER therapy should not be used to treat acute asthma episodes where extra measures are required. Be careful while adjusting to a switch from an oral steroid to the inhaled steroid ASMANEX TWISTHALER 220 mcg (mometasone furoate inhalation powder), as you may be less able to heal after surgery, infection or serious injury. Use ASMANEX as directed by your health care provider, since its ability to work in your lungs depends on regular use. If your asthma symptoms do not improve, or seem worse, contact your health care provider. Avoid coming into contact with the measles or chicken pox virus. Contact your health care provider immediately if you are exposed. If you are at an increased risk for decreased bone mineral density, the use of corticosteroids may increase your risk. Your health care provider should monitor your condition and, if needed, provide treatment. Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids, such as ASMANEX, may increase the risk of some eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma.


For additional important product information, visit www.asmanex.com. Eligible patients who are having difficulty affording Schering-Plough medications can call the S-P Cares patient assistance program at (800) 656-9485 to see if they qualify for assistance. Or visit www.pparx.org for additional information.

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Are You Finding The Right Thing On How To Cure Asthma Fast?

Asthma - How To Cure Asthma Fast In 5 Easy Steps by farrel

With more than 15 million asthmatics in the USA, finding the most effective and right asthma remedy for someone who lives daily with the effects of asthma is like a Crusader finding the Holy Grail.

Are You Finding The Right Thing On How To Cure Asthma Fast?

The most important and prevalent thing on the mind of an asthma sufferer is finding a remedy for the ailment. Finding how to cure asthma fast that you truly deserve is not as easy as just going to the doctor and taking what he gives you unfortunately an asthma remedy is not that simple.

The proper way in finding how to cure asthma fast is to be more involved and multifaceted than that. It takes more than just pill popping to solve the problem of asthma; it takes an adjustment of one’s lifestyle. These easy 5 steps are designed to give you a direction and a guide to finding how to cure asthma fast that you definitely works for you.

Step 1: Respect Your Asthma

Are you respecting your body? Many people who have asthma refuse to respect it enough to alter their lifestyle which is dangerous and irresponsible. If you have asthma, accept that you have it and that you will have to make adjustments because of it.

Step 2: Be Consistent

Once you have decided on what to do and what not to do in an effort to control the symptoms of asthma, stick to those decisions. If you decide to stop swimming, don’t join the swimming team. If you need to give up running, don’t register for a marathon. Be consistent and stick to the decisions that you have made.

Step 3: Be Practical and Positive

Just because you have asthma does not mean that you have to give up all activity and sit on the couch for the rest of your life. Keep a good attitude on how to cure asthma fast and you will be able to rationally think about the situation and what is the best way to handle it. Getting irritable and irrational will only compound your problems.

Step 4: Get Help From Experts on How To Cure Asthma Fast

Never try to find an appropriate asthma remedy on your own. Finding the right how to cure asthma fast remedy is best done with the help of a licensed professional. Uncle so-and-so or cousin this-and-that may be great people, but they are not asthma experts. Ask someone who is an expert to help you make the right decisions.

Step 5: Be Accepting

Accept the fact that you have asthma, that you can’t get rid of asthma, that you can manage asthma, and that you can be happy and normal with asthma. Don’t let the asthma blow itself out of proportion. Accepting the fact that you have asthma will help you be able to find the best asthma remedy.

These steps are a simple way to combat the effects of asthma. There is an asthma remedy that is right for you, all you have to do is follow these steps and find it.

Even though you may know the 5 easy steps on how to cure asthma fast that designed to give you a asthma-free lifestyle. With all the information available of no use, action is power when applying knowledge which will then free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics sometimes tend to forget that even though there may be many strategies and techniques around to asthma remedy around in order to have an asthma free life. Without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying these facts and tips together with a system - enjoy your life once again.


Farrel David writes articles on different topics. To know more about acne exposed review treatment, exposed skin care review visit http://www.squidoo.com/exposedacnekit/

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