InfluenzaThe honorable lecturer

The honorable my beloved friends

Syalom

First of all I thank to God for His blessing and grace so we are able to present here with healthy body and great spirit. Today I deliver speech here about an infectious disease and this is the first time I deliver speech in English in front of many peoples. And I really know I stand here in front of many great peoples who’re the candidates of professional doctor. The theme of my speech is infection of influenza.

My friends and Lecturer

In development country the biggest cause of dead is infectious disease. And one of infectious disease that can be the biggest cause of dead is Influenza. Influenza is very infectious and can cause epidemics and pandemics. I really know that all of you are medical students who are already know about epidemics and pandemics because we have studied in public health science last semester so I’m not explain once again now. Influenza is a viral infection that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. Infection usually lasts for about a week, and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat and rhinitis

My friends and Lecturer

Now I want to tell you about the epidemiologic side of Influenza. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide, annual influenza epidemics result in about 3-5 million cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths. In the United States, individual cases of seasonal flu and flu-related deaths in adults are not reportable illnesses; consequently, mortality is estimated by using statistical models. In subtropical countries, the incidence of influenza is increase can even lead to extraordinary cases almost every winter. But In Indonesia there is no valid number of incidence, morbidity and mortality because many people considers that influenza is a mild disease. And I think they must change their mindset about this disease if they know about influenza type A H5N1 or flu burung and type A H1N1 or swine flu or flu babi because those types can cause of dead just few days if there is no treatment.

My friends and Lecturer

Transmission of influenza from poultry or pigs to humans appears to occur predominantly as a result of direct contact with infected animals. The risk is especially high during slaughter and preparation for consumption; eating properly cooked meat poses no risk. Avian influenza can also be spread through exposure to water and surfaces contaminated by bird droppings.

Influenza viruses spread from human to human via aerosols created when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Infection occurs after an immunologically susceptible person inhales the aerosol. If not neutralized by secretory antibodies, the virus invades airway and respiratory tract cells.

Once the virus is within host cells, cellular dysfunction and degeneration occur, along with viral replication and release of viral progeny. As in other viral infections, systemic symptoms result from release of inflammatory mediators.

The incubation period of influenza ranges from 1 to 4 days. Aerosol transmission may occur 1 day before the onset of symptoms; thus, it may be possible for transmission to occur via asymptomatic persons or persons with subclinical disease, who may be unaware that they have been exposed to the disease.

My friends and lecturer

The influenza also has many type; influenza type A, type B, and type C. Influenza A viruses cause most human, pig, all avian influenza infections. Before I continue my explanation. I want to ask you a question.

-Why a person who has recovered from the influenza A can be re-infected?

The answer is because Influenza A is a genetically labile virus, with mutation rates as high as 300 times that of other microbes. And Major typing of influenza A occurs through identification of both H and N proteins. 9 H and 16 N types have been identified. And the various combinations of H and N yield 144 potential subtypes of influenza. So there are a hundreds subtypes in the future and maybe some of them are more dangerous than avian flu or swine flu.

We all know that Indonesia is currently experiencing the changes of climate rapidly. This situation makes the weather around us are capable of spreading virus of diseases that we must always be vigilant. The influenza can suddenly attack our bodies.

Therefore, you should continue to maintain the cleanliness of your residence and use a mask when leaving the house this is the best way for prevention influenza infection and air pollution that contain of dangerous substance . You are also advised to improve the quality of the immune system by taking vitamins, adequate eat and drink mineral water to maintain health.

Well, Health is the most important part in life. I urge you to maintain the health as good as possible because prevention is better than medicating.

Thank you for your attention!