Overview of influenza

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Overview of Influenza
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INFLUENZA

• It is commonly known as FLU.
• An infectious disease which is caused by an
  influenza virus.
• This is a viral infection that attacks the
  respiratory system.
• There are two main types of influenza virus
  Types A and B.
• These viruses that routinely spread in people are
  responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year.

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SYMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA

• High Fever
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Muscle Pains
• Headache
• Coughing
• Feeling tired.

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INFLUENZA TESTING METHODS

• The diagnostic tests available for influenza
  include
• Viral Culture
• Serology
• Rapid Antigen Testing
• RT-PCR
• Rapid Molecular Assays
• Immunofluorescence Assays

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Viral Culture

• The samples are placed with a cell type that the
  virus being tested for is able to infect.
• The collection of some respiratory samples for
  viral culture is essential for determining te
  influenza A virus subtypes.
• Influenza A and B virus strains causing illness.
• Traditional viral culture has been generally
  superseded by shell vial culture.
• The viral growth is measured by antigen detection
  methods.

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Serology

• It is the scientific study of serum and other
  bodily fluids.
• The term usually refers to the diagnostic
  identification of antibodies in the serum.
• They are typically formed in response to an
  infection against other foreign proteins.
• This blood test help to diagnose patients with
  certain immune deficiencies associated with the
  lack of antibodies.
• These methods are used to identify antibodies and
  antigens in patients sample which is serum and
  plasma.

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RIDT

• RIDT- Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test
• These are immunoassays that can identify the
  presence of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein
  antigens in respiratory specimens
• It displays the result in a qualitative way.
• It produces quick result.

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Immunofluorescence Assays

• It is a technique which is used for light
  microscopy with a fluorescence microscope.
• It is used primarily on microbiological samples.
• It uses the specificity of antibodies to their
  antigen to target fluorescent dyes to specific
  biomolecule target within the cell.
• It allows the visualisation of the distribution
  of the target molecule through the sample.

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RTPCR

• Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
• It is also known as QPCR - Quantitative
  Polymerase Chain Reaction.
• This is a laboratory technique of molecular
  biology based on the polymerase chain reaction.
• It monitors the amplification of a targeted DNA
  molecule during the PCR
• It can be used quantitatively and
  semiquantitatively

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Conclusion

• Early detection helps to protect us from the
  influenza virus.
• Freiburg Medical Laboratory in Dubai offers
  influenza test to counter the spread of
  influenza rapidly.

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• THANK YOU !