Ebook Influenza and Its Growing Importance
Headlines across the globe announce a threat that endangers the human population in a way that has not been seen in recent years. Millions of lives are at risk to a microscopic virus that has been haunting civilization for thousands of years. The threat now is avian influenza, a disease spread among birds. Avian influenza is classified scientifically as H5N1. This classification comes from a naming system in use since the 1980s that classifies all subtypes of influenza as HxNy. How one subtype acquires a classification will be discussed later in this compilation.
Contents
Introduction – Dan Buettner, Taryn Filipow, Chas Pall
PREFACE: AVIAN INFLUENZA
Wild birds and Avian influenza – Anne Hiller
Why is the Avian flu found in East Asian chickens and not US chickens? –Josh Hancher
I. History of Influenza
1.1 How was influenza first differentiated as a specific disease? – Erik Bare
1.2 General history- Dane Sabelhaus
1.3 Influenza outbreak of 1918-1919 – Erik Bare
1.4 Influenza outbreak of 1918-1919 in Japan – Taryn Filipow
1.5 The 1957-58 Asian flu – Anne Hiller
1.6 The 1968 Hong Kong epidemic – Tim Ross
1.7 Case fatality rate of influenza – Dane Sabelhaus
II. Influenza Epidemics and Pandemics
2.1 How does one distinguish between pandemics and epidemics? – Erik Bare
2.2 Epidemics: Do they occur more readily in third world countries? – Justin Taylor
2.3 Public health responses and obstacles in the face of an avian flu pandemic - Tim Ross and Tara Zuber
III. Subtypes and Strains
3.1 Evolution of the influenza virus – Chas Pall
3.2 How subtypes and strains evolve – Noyan Olcum
3.3 Are there, historically, types of influenza that are perhaps recognizable by their symptoms? – Tim Ross
3.4 What tests are used to deter mine if you have influenza? How do you determine subtype and strain? – Brian Adams
IV. Transmission
4.1 Human-to-human transmission of influenza – Brian Adams
4.2 Zoonotic transmission of the influenza virus – Cole Beeler
4.3 Influenza and surfaces where germs are commonly found – Michael Gomez
V. Vaccines and Medications
5.1 The influenza vaccine – Dan Buettner
5.2 The evolution of the influenza vaccine since 1940 – Rowan Hurrell and Josh Hancher
5.3 Why do doctors warn people not to get vaccinated if they are already sick? – Chas Pall
5.4 The flu season and the appropriate time to be vaccinated – Rowan Hurrell and Cole Beeler
5.5 What medications are available to combat the flu? – Holly Holobyn
VI. Preparation and Prevention
6.1 The essentials of influenza: general information, contraction, prevention, and preparedness – Holly Holobyn and Tara Zuber
6.2 How should doctors and healthcare workers prepare
for an epidemic – Taryn Filipow
6.3 Personal stockpiling – Tara Zuber
6.4 Ways to prevent the spread of influenza used by doctors and laypeople – Michael Gomez
6.5 How does hand washing work and what is the best
way to do it ?– Brian Adams and Chas Pall
6.6 Why should one avoid alcohol and tobacco when one
is sick? Why should one drink lots of fluids – Noyan Olcum
6.7 What to do if you have the flu? – Justin Taylor
6.8 Myths and facts of influenza – Michael Gomez
Conclusion – Anne Hiller, Holly Holobyn, and Justin Taylor
Influenza Survey - Michael Gomez
Bibliography
Web sites
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