Influenza Research 2022

Pathology of Influenza Virus Infections

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Influenza viruses are significant human respiratory pathogens that cause both seasonal, endemic infections and periodic, unpredictable pandemics. The pathologic changes described in the 1918 influenza pandemic is not significantly different from the histopathology observed in other less lethal pandemics or even in deaths occurring during seasonal influenza outbreaks. People with chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease, or diabetes mellitus, are at high risk of developing severe complications from influenza A viruses, which may include hemorrhagic bronchitis, pneumonia (primary viral or secondary bacterial), and death. Pathophysiology of influenza infection virus is transmitted through infected respiratory droplets that are aerosolised by coughing, sneezing, or talking. In influenza significant life-threatening pathological conditions that could be considered the cause of death included diffuse alveolar damage, extensive secondary pneumonia, extensive intraalveolar hemorrhage, viral pneumonitis, myocarditis and meningoencephalitis.