Title : Identification of the human influenza viruses and factors influencing the distribution in Islamabad, 2021
Abstract:
Introduction: Respiratory tract infection, Influenza is famous for high burden and death counts in the world each year. Clinical presentation of mild Influenza is high grade fever, sore throat and cough while in severe condition pulmonary problems appear and it can be both from viral infection followed by bacterial infections. It is very important to monitor and characterize the circulating virus and to generate information about the epidemiology of disease that will help plan interventions and focus resources.
Methodology: It was a cross section study with descriptive and analytic part based on the clinical and demographic information of the study participants.
Results: A total of 210 throat samples were taken and tested for influenza viruses using real time RT-PCR technique and 21% (n=43) were tested positive of influenza viruses. All the positive samples (21%) were influenza-A viruses. There was no influenza b virus detected.
Conclusion and Recommendations: It is concluded that high risk groups including children below 5 years, older people above 65 year, immunocompromized people, poor infection prevention control strategies, health seeking behaviour are the possible risks that influence the higher positivity of Influenza viruses. The current study recommends the risk assessment and management of the Influenza infection in Islamabad by addressing the determinants highlighted in this study.
Keyword: Respiratory tract infection, Influenza, real time RT-PCR technique
