Influenza Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Influenza - Essay Example The disease attacks the respiratory system, is spread by inhaling droplets and these droplets are spread when an infected, contagious person sneezes and/or contaminated hands and/or surfaces are touched and then the virus gains entry into the body. The disease has a 1-2 day incubation period and symptoms displayed can include the following: â€Å"†¦ malaise, myalgia †¦ fever lasting a few days and respiratory symptoms of varied intensity† (Kuszewski & Brydak, 2000, 188). Some of the complications that can develop from contracting the disease are myocardial infections or pneumonia (Kuszewski & Brydak, 2000, 189). Individuals with low immune systems, the young and the old, are particularly susceptible to the disease. Epidemiologically, an influenza outbreak occurs when there are higher than normal levels of infected persons, a low rate of mortality and very few complications. In a pandemic situation, the death rate is quite high and there are numerous complications and , sometimes, depending on the severity of the pandemic, there are short and long-term effects on an economy.The Centres for Disease Control define the social determinants of health as â€Å"†¦the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work, and age, as well as the systems put in place to deal with illness†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . The CDC further notes that the above circumstances are strongly influenced by â€Å"†¦economics, social policies, and politics†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (CDC, 2014). In other words, the disease does not occur in isolation but is influenced by the manner in which individuals live.