Based on your preferences, you have been added to a team of researchers focused on the etiology of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Be prepared to address the following topics in your presentation: What differentiates pandemic flu from regular seasonal flu? How does COVID-19 differ from past pandemics?

QUESTION

Based on your preferences, you have been added to a team of researchers focused on the etiology of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Be prepared to address the following topics in your presentation: What differentiates pandemic flu from regular seasonal flu? How does COVID-19 differ from past pandemics?

Include the following sections in your presentation:
Background and Introduction:
Methods:
Results:
Discussion:
Hypothesis:
You will present the information for your chosen section during our last lab class time. At that time you will also submit your written version of your section, including hypotheses and predictions, conclusions, and references cited. You must use at least two journal paper articles and two academic websites (government or university are appropriate). Include a references section to submit with your documents.

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Based on your preferences, you have been added to a team of researchers focused on the etiology of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Be prepared to address the following topics in your presentation: What differentiates pandemic flu from regular seasonal flu? How does COVID-19 differ from past pandemics?
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ANSWER

Etiology of COVID-19: Differentiating Pandemic Flu from Seasonal Flu and Comparing COVID-19 with Past Pandemics

Introduction

The emergence of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and its associated disease, COVID-19, has presented a significant global health challenge. To better understand the unique characteristics of COVID-19, it is essential to differentiate it from regular seasonal flu and compare it with past pandemics. This presentation aims to provide insights into these topics, shedding light on the etiology of COVID-19 and its distinguishing features.

Methods

To gather information for this presentation, a comprehensive literature review was conducted using academic journals and reputable websites. Two journal papers and two academic websites were selected to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information presented.

Results

Differentiating Pandemic Flu from Seasonal Flu

Severity and Impact: Pandemic flu, such as the 1918 Spanish flu or the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009, typically causes a more severe disease burden compared to seasonal flu (Madhav et al., 2017). Pandemics often result in a higher number of hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and mortality rates.

Viral Strains: Pandemic flu arises from the emergence of a novel influenza virus subtype that humans have little to no pre-existing immunity against. In contrast, seasonal flu is caused by strains that have been in circulation and undergone genetic changes over time.

Global Spread: Pandemics have the potential to spread rapidly across the globe, leading to a significant number of cases within a short period. Seasonal flu, on the other hand, follows predictable seasonal patterns and affects specific regions during particular times of the year.

Differences between COVID-19 and Past Pandemics

Pathogen and Transmission: COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus, whereas past pandemics, such as the Spanish flu, were caused by influenza viruses. COVID-19 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, close contact, and aerosols, whereas some past pandemics also demonstrated airborne transmission.

Clinical Presentation: COVID-19 presents with a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, including fever, cough, fatigue, and respiratory distress (Baj et al., 2020). In comparison, some past pandemics, such as the Spanish flu, showed a higher propensity for severe disease and affected young adults disproportionately.

Age Groups Affected: While seasonal flu tends to impact the very young and the elderly more severely, COVID-19 has demonstrated the potential to affect individuals of all age groups. Older adults and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

Discussion

The distinguishing characteristics of COVID-19 highlight the need for specific public health measures and interventions. The high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, coupled with its ability to cause severe disease across age groups, underscores the importance of widespread vaccination, testing, contact tracing, and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Hypothesis

Given the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the potential for emerging variants, it is hypothesized that COVID-19 will continue to pose challenges in terms of transmissibility, clinical presentation, and impact on global health systems (Aleem, 2023). However, with the advancement of medical knowledge, technological innovations, and public health measures, the world is better equipped to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 compared to past pandemics.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between pandemic flu and seasonal flu, as well as the unique characteristics of COVID-19 compared to past pandemics, allows us to develop informed strategies to combat the current pandemic. By implementing evidence-based interventions and maintaining vigilance in monitoring and responding to emerging infectious diseases, we can work towards mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and protecting global health.

References

Aleem, A. (2023, May 8). Emerging Variants of SARS-CoV-2 and Novel Therapeutics Against Coronavirus (COVID-19). StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570580/ 

Baj, J., Karakuła-Juchnowicz, H., Teresiński, G., Buszewicz, G., Ciesielka, M., Sitarz, E., Forma, A., Karakuła, K., Flieger, W., Portincasa, P., & Maciejewski, R. (2020). COVID-19: Specific and Non-Specific Clinical Manifestations and Symptoms: The Current State of Knowledge. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(6), 1753. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061753 

Madhav, N., Oppenheim, B., Gallivan, M., Mulembakani, P., Rubin, E. M., & Wolfe, N. D. (2017). Pandemics: Risks, Impacts, and Mitigation. In The World Bank eBooks (pp. 315–345). https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0527-1_ch17 

 

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