Running Head: INFLUENZA
Michael Sansone
Regis College: NU-606-04-19pcsp
Professor Dr. Kanner
February, 2019
, 2
INFLUENZA
Mrs. A.H. has had an acute episode of influenzas A, complicated by pneumococcal
pneumonia. She lives in a seniors’ apartment building, where a number of residents have
had influenzas in the past month.
State the cause of influenzas and describe briefly how it affects the lungs.
Influenza is a virus that has the ability to mutate as it passes from one species to another. These mutations can be
quite virulent leading to pneumonia and high morbidity and mortality rates especially in the elderly population
(CDC, 2018). The lungs are a sterile environment. If the epithelial layer is penetrated by a pathogen the airways then
lose their ability to provide filtration to the lung tissue. Cilia are located along epithelial tissue and protect the body
by pushing up bacteria towards the pharynx (Rambaud-Althaus, Althaus, Genton, & D'Acremont, 2015).
The virus attempts to enter the epithelial layer of the lungs, initiates an infective process, and then proceeds to
start producing fluid. This inflammatory process results in mucus inflammation ultimately leading to disordered
breathing. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can include the parenchyma, alveolar and/or the interstitial
tissue. Symptoms include a cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, malaise high fever, decreased and/or adventitious lung
sounds, and pain with respiration. The most common pathogen for pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae
(Rambaud-Althaus, Althaus, Genton, & D'Acremont, 2015).
1. Describe the normal mechanisms that defend against infection in the respiratory
tract.
The respiratory tract is full of small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. The first lines of defense
against inhaled pathogens are the cilia which trap and move bacteria out of the pharynx in an upward motion. The
second line of defense comes into action when bacteria penetrate through the mucous layer and are met by various
antimicrobial properties (Gould, VanMeter & Hubert, 2014). Antimicrobials are secreted by the surface epithelium
in the respiratory tract. They work to destroy various strains of bacteria. When antimicrobials encounter resistant
bacteria, they are destroyed by phagocytes. The third line of defense consists of cilia tiny muscle like hairs the line
the airway. The cilia propel a liquid layer of mucous that covers the airway in a protective layer. Other defense
mechanisms include the gag reflex (Gould, VanMeter & Hubert, 2014).
Michael Sansone
Regis College: NU-606-04-19pcsp
Professor Dr. Kanner
February, 2019
, 2
INFLUENZA
Mrs. A.H. has had an acute episode of influenzas A, complicated by pneumococcal
pneumonia. She lives in a seniors’ apartment building, where a number of residents have
had influenzas in the past month.
State the cause of influenzas and describe briefly how it affects the lungs.
Influenza is a virus that has the ability to mutate as it passes from one species to another. These mutations can be
quite virulent leading to pneumonia and high morbidity and mortality rates especially in the elderly population
(CDC, 2018). The lungs are a sterile environment. If the epithelial layer is penetrated by a pathogen the airways then
lose their ability to provide filtration to the lung tissue. Cilia are located along epithelial tissue and protect the body
by pushing up bacteria towards the pharynx (Rambaud-Althaus, Althaus, Genton, & D'Acremont, 2015).
The virus attempts to enter the epithelial layer of the lungs, initiates an infective process, and then proceeds to
start producing fluid. This inflammatory process results in mucus inflammation ultimately leading to disordered
breathing. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can include the parenchyma, alveolar and/or the interstitial
tissue. Symptoms include a cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, malaise high fever, decreased and/or adventitious lung
sounds, and pain with respiration. The most common pathogen for pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae
(Rambaud-Althaus, Althaus, Genton, & D'Acremont, 2015).
1. Describe the normal mechanisms that defend against infection in the respiratory
tract.
The respiratory tract is full of small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. The first lines of defense
against inhaled pathogens are the cilia which trap and move bacteria out of the pharynx in an upward motion. The
second line of defense comes into action when bacteria penetrate through the mucous layer and are met by various
antimicrobial properties (Gould, VanMeter & Hubert, 2014). Antimicrobials are secreted by the surface epithelium
in the respiratory tract. They work to destroy various strains of bacteria. When antimicrobials encounter resistant
bacteria, they are destroyed by phagocytes. The third line of defense consists of cilia tiny muscle like hairs the line
the airway. The cilia propel a liquid layer of mucous that covers the airway in a protective layer. Other defense
mechanisms include the gag reflex (Gould, VanMeter & Hubert, 2014).
