Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. It is commonly referred to as flu. It is a cause of pandemics and epidemics, although it is not so contagious as the common cold. There are many influenza viruses, each causing its disease; some are very similar but different. The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, and coryza. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. The condition, which is particularly quick and vigorous, has been observed to catch people during the fall and winter frequently. Reports indicate that millions of cases are reported worldwide during an epidemic season each year. Therefore, there is a need to prevent the disease. Vaccination is the most appropriate strategy to handle this health challenge. It helps to prevent the spread of the disease during its reach. Hence, according to the local healthcare department’s recommendation, people should seek vaccination yearly. This paper aims to describe influenza in terms of specific demographics, how various determinants of health contribute to its development, and the epidemiology triangle. Similarly, it will focus on the community health nurse’s role, the importance of demographic data, the national organization that works to address the disease, and the global implication.
Comprehensive Description of a Communicable Disease and the Demographic of Interest
Influenza is caused by influenza viruses infecting the upper respiratory tract. The viruses are classified as influenza A and B (Darricarrère et al., 2021). Each type causes distinct disease patterns, but both are capable of causing severe illness and death in young children, older adults, and people with other underlying health conditions who lack immunity to the virus (Kim & Chang, 2018). Influenza A viruses are further divided into subtypes based on the genetic makeup of their hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) protein subunits (Kim & Chang, 2018). Hemagglutinins comprises H1 and H3 on the surface of the virus. These proteins help the virus bind to sialic acid molecules on host cells, thus allowing the virus to attach to them and enter through the cell membrane. Once inside a cell, the virus replicates and infects another cell by attaching itself to sialic acids on this new host cell. The H1 protein is responsible for causing symptoms such as fever, chills, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat (Kim & Chang, 2018).
The H3 protein does not have these symptoms; however, it helps spread infection from one person to another through coughing or sneezing. Influenza B viruses are further divided into subtypes based on the genetic makeup of their PB1 and PA protein subunits (Kim & Chang, 2018). Influenza is a highly contagious disease that spreads quickly from person to person, household to household, school to school, and workplace to workplace. In general, influenza is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions such as coughing, sneezing, or droplets expelled from a sick person (Boktor et al., 2021). It can also be transmitted from objects and surfaces contaminated with infected respiratory secretions, such as doorknobs and phones. Also, it occurs through touching things like toys and books that have come into contact with infected surfaces. Most people recover from influenza within a week. However, some people develop complications such as pneumonia or even death if they contract influenza while they have underlying health problems such as asthma or diabetes. Preventing flu is more accessible than treating it once it spreads (Kim & Chang, 2018). Vaccination can prevent infection with many types of flu virus; nevertheless, not all flu vaccines work equally well for everyone (Mameli et al., 2019). Also, vaccination should be done early in the season when the highest risk exists for developing severe illness from flu virus infection.
Influenza is a reportable disease for the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). It is when one can be tested for influenza and reported to the local or state health department or hospital as appropriate (Morabia, 2020). A person who has had an influenza-like illness and presents to the health care provider with a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms should report within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. If the patient cannot contact a health care provider or hospital within 24 hours, it is necessary to call a local or state health department or hospital at once and ask them to accept the report (Morabia, 2020). Also, the patients should contact their public information office to confirm if they would accept reports from a specific area code phone number.
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