How Influenza A causes Epidemics and Pandemics Essay - 1

How Influenza A causes Epidemics and Pandemics - Essay Example The 1918-1919 influenza pandemic which was the most distressful outbreak of influenza in history and considered as one of the most critical disease pandemics ever experienced came about as a result of H1N1 which is a subtype of influenza A virus (Hays, 2005). During this time the pandemic was known to kill over 25 million people globally (Ricks, 2009; p. 34). This essay will address the antigenic drift and the antigenic shift of the virus and how it has affected people globally. Influenza which is commonly referred to as flu is a contagious disease of mammals and birds which is caused by family orthomyxoviridae and RNA viruses. In human beings the signs and symptoms of the disease range from sore throat, severe headache, coughing, fever to fatigue and weakness (Shors, 2009). In more severe scenarios the influenza leads to pneumonia which can be deadly especially in infants and the elderly (Stanberry, 2008). Whilst at times it might be taken for common cold. There are different types of viruses making it to for the pandemic to be contained easily. Flu viruses regularly vary via a method known as antigenic drift. This is the unsystematic accretion of mutations in the HA and to the least degree NA genes which are detected by the system of immune. It is observable in influenza A viruses (Kurstak, 1990). Just like the normal cases of RNA viruses, mutations in the flu viruses take place often due to the replication machinery of the viruses which lacks a proofreading system. Whenever such variations result into mutations in the sites occupied by the antigens of HA or NA that are responsible for the reduction or inhibition of the bond of neutralizing antibodies, the immune system might be avoided by the viruses (Sompayrac, 2002). This procedure gives an explanation of the incident of serial flu epidemics in the course of winter in climatic zones that have temperate conditions and incident of epidemics of varying relentlessness and age groups affect (Betts, Penn

Practice reflections essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Practice reflections - Essay Example An acute ward is a relatively chaotic place with rapid turnover and different levels of psychotic intensity that needs every sane attempt to engage closely with madness. So we can see and hear different behaviors and different stories in a variety of communication patterns. The only thing that an acute nurse maintains is tact and respect to the patient's person to maintain order and avoid abuse in any form. I was struck by the variety of scenes and hope these people will get back to reality and live a normal healthy life. My third placement was at an elderly care where most of them are sick of Alzheimer or Korsakoff syndrome. It was a different scene then. Everything seems to be quite and we seem to get the cooperation of the patients. But we have to make sure we attend to their personal needs and really have to monitor their medications and activities. Alzheimer's disease affects their control for thought, memory, and language and so they have trouble remembering recent events or the names of familiar people or things in their lives. Even the simple tasks of combing their hair or brushing their teeth or even taking a bath are being forgotten by them. They have problems speaking and understanding that they just wander or sit still when their moods are not being aggressive or anxious. I can just smile recalling the repetitive inquiries for my name. I can just smile recalling giving multiple and same line of introductions to these patients. It is like taking care of big babies. The most unpleasant part is cleaning them after they defecate. For sure the smell is not the same as those of the babies. Taking every scene I encountered lightly and with openness of heart and mind will make me want to help them and express forms of sympathy to their medical conditions. I wouldn't want to be a member of these wards, by the grace of God, no. It is too much to bear being a patient and too much emotion of hurt and stress thinking about the provision of care for these patients in the part of the family or relative. Korsakoff's disease level with Alzheimer's in memory loss due to dietary deficiency of Thiamin or Vitamin B1. It creates damage to several brain areas that is critical to memory. All the same they tend to ask your name every encounter. There were numerous staff approaches in maintaining therapeutic treatment and in establishing therapeutic relationship. We have to get their trust and maintain a friendly atmosphere between us so they cannot be too aggressive or violent whenever they dislike something especially with patients placed in the acute wards. I have noted and cared for some patients from the time of their admission until their discharge. In my four weeks assignment placement, I can see that some have come back and was readmitted again. We are being listed for reflections sessions as part of the placement under practice facilitators. At the wards, we also have mentors and been given Practice Based Assignments (PBA) papers. Here we discuss and reflect what we have seen and learned from the ward, an open forum in cases of clarifications of some issues until they get to sign our individual PBA's. For their respective care delivery, we are just observers and taking notes of the medications and techniques on how to inject