Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

Influenza virus remains a significant global health issue that triggers seasonal epidemics with rare pandemic, resulting in immense morbidity and mortality.

This session is meant to provide a complete description of the influenza virus focusing on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and its management at the moment. Epidemiology, There are four major types of influenza viruses, of which types A and B are predominant in man.

Topics to be covered under influenza sessions include seasonal patterns of outbreaks, influence of viral subtypes-H1N1 and H3N2, and the impact of zoonotic transmission in the emergence of new strains. The course will expand on how influenza has been a global burden, how it affects the economic burden to healthcare systems, and the significance of surveillance to identify early outbreaks.

Pathogenesis: In gaining an understanding of the pathogenesis of influenza, effective prevention and treatment strategies can be designed. The session would discuss how the virus enters and infects respiratory epithelial cells, how it evades immune response, and ultimately results in clinical manifestations that range from mild respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia and systemic illness. Participants will be enlightened on host factors influencing the severity of disease as well as the role of co-infections in complicating clinical outcomes.

Management Strategies, Session This session will cover the current strategies for the management of influenza, including vaccination and antiviral treatment. It will discuss annual influenza vaccination, the formulation challenge posed by antigenic drift and shift, and the place of adjuvant and high-dose vaccines in those populations who are most at risk.

This session will discuss the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and the importance of early initiation of treatment for antiviral medications within oseltamivir, zanamivir, and baloxavir.

A glimpse of the development of antiviral resistance and the need for sustained research development with new therapeutic options will be discussed. Public Health Implications, at the public health level, several initiatives related to dealing with the burden of influenza, including immunization campaigns and hygiene education, will be reviewed in light of the urgency to react in the case of an outbreak.

Join us for a discussion on current knowledge around the influenza virus, essentially improving on the understanding and management of this critical infectious disease.