Pandemic avian influenza Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pandemic avian influenza - Essay Example Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds. The H5N1 subtype of the avian flu is currently causing alarm all over the world. Avian influenza viruses are carried by wild birds in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. Domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, are very much prone to infection to avian influenza and it can affect some birds and make them very sick and even kill them. Infected birds spread influenza virus through their saliva, nasal emission, and feces. Domesticated birds can get infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces such as water, fowl feed, feces or cages that have been contaminated with the virus. Two main forms of disease are caused by avian influenza infection in domestic poultry that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The low pathogenic form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production. However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100%, often within 48 hours. The H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic. PREVALENCE During 2004, large parts of Asia experienced unprecedented outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, caused by the H5N1 virus, in poultry. ETIOLOGY Most pandemics over the centuries have originated in parts of Asia where dense populations of humans live in close proximity to water fowl, ducks and pigs. In this part of the world, surveillance for both animal influenza and clusters of unusual respiratory disease in humans performs an important early warning function. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Asia in 2004 are clearly unprecedented in respect of the geographical scale and the endemicity of the virus, which now appears firmly entrenched in parts of Asia. Other unique features of the outbreaks suggest that the complex ecology of influenza viruses may be changing in ominous ways. Domestic ducks are now known to be excreting H5N1 in its highly pathogenic form yet - like wild ducks - appear to be perfectly healthy. They may thus be silently perpetuating transmission of the virus to chickens and other poultry and possibly also to humans. The recent detection of highly pathogenic H5N1 in dead migratory birds - long considered asymptomatic carriers - may suggest another ominous change, but more research is needed before any conclusions can be reached. The factors that determine the interspecies transmission and pathogenicity of influenza

The Effect of Death on Nursing Profession Assignment

The Effect of Death on Nursing Profession - Assignment Example This paper tells that it is one thing to see other people die, and it hurts, but it isn’t somebody you are really close to. When my father died it set off all sorts of emotions, and they pretty much controlled me for a while. But once I began to understand that my father was better off and in a better place, I began to see my life turn around. I have a new instilled hope in everything I did, and I knew I wanted to go back to work. Cope? I guess you could use cope. For a time that was really all, I was doing. Coping however is not the most healthy thing in the world. Eventually, you overcome that and grieve. And grieving, that came out mostly through music. Of course, there were a lot of late nights in there as well. *Laughs*  It just felt right. When I was making the album the entirety of everything I have seen and done all came together. My father's death has a huge impact, and in some way each death I had seen as well. It just felt like the right thing to do.  That's a t ough one. I could never see myself leaving nursing, but at the same time, If I could share my message and music to people all over and they enjoyed it, it would be hard to turn that down as well. I guess we will just have to see what happens and go from there. Maybe I could be a nurse musician. The most important thing to know when dealing with death is that it doesn’t have to be this crazy end of your lifetime. A lot of people downward spiral, and I did as well. It doesn’t have to be that. There is this surreal quality to death that most people miss. Is it sad? Yes. Do I wish it didn’t happen? Of course. But you have to accept it and enjoy life and not let death ruin what life you have left.