Influenza is caused by a virus that infects cells and often mutates, so immunity to one strain does not protect against others. It is transmitted through direct contact, contaminated objects, or inhaled aerosols. Symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, and cough. Treatment focuses on symptom relief and there are now three licensed antiviral treatments in the UK. Prevention includes an annual flu vaccine tailored to the strains expected to cause epidemics that year. Anorexia nervosa has unclear causes but links to anxiety, unhappiness, and low self-esteem. Symptoms include extreme weight loss and medical complications. Treatment involves hospitalization for refeeding and behavioral therapy to address emotional issues.

1. DISEASES CASE
STUDIES
Alana W.

2. Infectious Disease
INFLUENZA

3. Cause and transmission
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Influenza is caused by a virus which attacks
the body’s cells
The virus mutates often and new strains arise.
Unfortunately immunity against one strain
does not protect against other strains.
Influenza virus may be transmitted among
humans in three ways:
 By
direct contact with infected individuals
 By contact with contaminated objects
 By inhalation of virus-laden aerosols

4. Symptoms
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High fever
Severe aches and pains (often in the back and
muscles)
Severe headache
Cough
Intermittent sweating and shivering
Sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea

5. Treatment
For most people it is best to treat the symptoms
of influenza and await natural recovery.
 Take symptom relief eg. paracetamol or aspirin
to help with fever and aches and pains
There are now three influenza treatments
licensed for use in the UK:
 Amantadine, taken by mouth
 Oseltamivir, taken by mouth
 Zanamivir, a powder that is inhaled

6. Prevention
There are many influenza viruses. Only one or
two tend to reach epidemic proportions each
year. By monitoring the progress of these
worldwide, the World Health Organisation decide
on the best mixture of influenza types to be
included in that year’s vaccine.
It is advised that people at high risk of infection
are vaccinated yearly.

7. Incidence
Influenza is more common during winter, peaking in August
as shown in this map.

8. Incidence
Influenza is most common in children younger than 5 and
adults aged 65+, as shown in this map from Western
Australia

9. Non-infectious Disease
ANOREXIA NERVOSA

10. Causes
The exact cause of anorexia remains unclear.
However, there are links between becoming
anorexic and:
 Deep anxiety
 Unhappiness
 Low self-esteem

11. Symptoms
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Lowered resistance to
illnesses
Physical weakness
Extreme weight loss
Dizzy spells and
fainting
Women stop having
monthly periods
Constipation and
abdominal pain
Swollen stomach, face
and ankles
Downy hair on the
body
Poor blood circulation
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Feeling cold
Loss of bone mass
Osteoporosis
Infertility
Depression
Distorted body image
Personality changes
Inability to concentrate

12. Treatment
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Most anorexics go into hospital when they
become extremely ill. Here, the first goal of
treatment is to increase and stabilise their
weight.
Behaviour therapy – encouraging the person
to eat by giving privileges (eg. telephone
calls, visits, watching TV) for eating.
Keeping a diary recording food intake, activity
and thoughts and feelings. This may uncover
deeper emotional problems.
Therapy

13. Prevention
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There is no certain method of preventing
anorexia.
Parents should ensure that their daughters
have a healthy attitude about themselves, their
bodies and their diets.
It is important to watch for early signs of eating
disorders.

14. Incidence
Anorexia mostly afflicts young women.

15. Books/ websites used
http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/influenza.html
http://www.who.int/influenza
Eating disorders : detection & treatment
by: Bulik, Cynthia
Diseases Vol. 1