Influenza Infection: Leading Cause Of Death

Influenza infections are the leading cause of death. In 1918 Spanish flu killed so many people in the united state, and spread quickly like wild fire throughout the entire world. Many people died within the first few days after infection and others died of complications soon after. Nearly half of those who died were young, healthy adults. One of the most unusual aspects of the Spanish flu was its ability to kill young adults. The reasons for this remain uncertain. Even today there is no specific medical cure for the virus. The other type of influenza is swine flu. The H1N1 swine flu virus has already been identified as a new virus, and the viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza
They have similarities such as their symptoms and they are more severe causing uncomfortable and debilitating sensations. Influenza virus is constantly mutating since it was discovered. Numerous vaccines have been developed every year, however it cannot be stamped out due to the virus’s ability to change it is main antigens hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. An immune defense against a viral infection is more dependent on T cells and less dependent on antibodies. 8 Cytotoxic T cells are important in killing virally infected cells. Virus begins to replicate and viral proteins accumulate in the infected cell. Some of these proteins are degraded by host cell machinery and the peptide fragments are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum, where they combine with newly synthesized MHC I molecules. 9 The MHC I molecules loaded with foreign viral antigens now find their way to the surface of the cell. The infected cell also begins to produce and secrete α-interferon. This notifies surrounding cells of viral infection and induces them to produce compounds that interfere with viral replication making further infection more