Respiratory Disease Paper

Respiratory Disease Paper

7/18/2015

HCS 245

Respiratory Disease Paper

Influenza is classified as a secondary vital infection that affects the respiratory system and more specifically the nose, throat, bronchi and lungs. Although influenza, or the flu, seems like a fairly common and easily treatable disease it still costs the United States economy between $71-167 billion dollars per year to treat ("Influenza", 2003, para.2). If left untreated or affects those with a weak immune system it does have the ability to turn fatal. This paper will serve to show the impact that influenza still has on society, what resources must be used to educate society about the illness and how it can further be treated.

Influenza is an interesting disease because it can be classified into two different types: A and B. Influenza A is the type that is most often associated with humans. This type also has two different subtypes: H3N2 and H1N1. These types of influenza spread around the world rapidly each year as it is classified mainly as an airborne illness. Influenza is spread by those infected when they cough, sneeze or talk and the droplets from one person is inhaled into the lungs or lands on another susceptible person. One of the hardest aspects of influenza is that it can take up to a full 24 hours from infection to when a person feels the effects and can be transmitted by the infected party before they even feel the effects of the illness. Influenza still has a strong impact on society simply because of its ability to be easily transmitted and its ability to continuously evolve and still cost millions of dollars in health care bills and lost productivity.

Influenza is generally considered to be a secondary type of illness. It is classified as a secondary illness because the person has already been affected and is feeling the effects of the illness. It is important to start treating the disease by going to the doctor as soon as possible and implementing any...