Influenza
Influenza is one of the serious diseases that might affect a patient and promote severe complications. The symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, weakness, and muscle pain. The virus is extremely virulent and can be transmitted from individual to individual during contact by respiratory fomites. It replicates in the respiratory epithelium of a patient, which produces the hemagglutinin molecule with infectious virus particles (Hutchinson, 2018). The disease can be diagnosed using PCR tests, serology, and rapid antigen testing (Hutchinson, 2018). In most cases, if no complications emerge, antiviral medications are used to treat the disease and attain a significant improvement in the patients’ states.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a severe disease that can cause numerous complications, including death. Its symptoms include cough, difficulty breathing, and high temperature. The disease can be transmitted by infectious organisms reaching the alveoli and affecting their function (Metlay et al., 2019). As a result, the alveolar spaces are left airless, and the further replication of the bacteria can lead to fibrosis and pulmonary edema, impairing lung expansion (Torres et al., 2021). The alterations might precondition the decreased gaseous exchange and systemic issues (Metlay et al., 2019). Diagnosing the disease implies X-rays, blood tests to discover the inflammation and the immune system’s responses, and pulse oximetry (Metlay et al., 2019). The disease is treated by antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal medications.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is an extremely dangerous disease that emerged recently. Its symptoms include cough, fever, loss of smell or taste, fatigue, and vomiting. Thus, its dangerous nature is explained by the fact that SARS-CoV-2 attacks cells through the viral structural spike protein that binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. The type 2 transmembrane serine protease, available in the host cell, promotes viral uptake by cleaving ACE2 and activating the SARS-CoV-2 protein, which mediates coronavirus entry into host cells (Singh et al., 2020). Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 might kill T-lymphocyte cells and result in severe complications and problems with treatment. Diagnosing includes PRC and sputum tests that might be supported by blood tests (Singh et al., 2020). The treatment implies addressing the symptoms to avoid complications and using antiviral medicines and monoclonal antibodies to guarantee improvement.
Similarities
Influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 have some similarities. First, the patients might acquire the same symptoms, such as cough, fever, headache, pain in muscles, sometimes vomiting, and shortness of breath. Second, because of the unique pathophysiology, all diseases are highly virulent as the virus or bacteria might affect the respiratory system’s work. As a result, there is a high risk of numerous and severe complications, such as issues with the heart, lack of oxygen to support normal body function, and low saturation (Metlay et al., 2019). The diagnosis might also be similar to PCR, and blood tests are employed to determine the high inflammation levels and the work of the immune system. The diseases are treated by using antibiotics and antiviral medications.
Differences
The major differences come from the pathophysiology of the three diseases. For instance, in influenza, the virus replicates in the respiratory epithelium, while in most pneumonia cases, mostly alveoli are affected, which results in the emergence of problems with oxygen supply and systemic issues. COVID-19 also impacts the respiratory system; however, it might also promote severe outcomes (Singh et al., 2020). The treatment schemes might also differ because of the necessity to address the major cause affecting the body’s work. For this reason, antibiotics or antiviral medications might be used to ensure the improvement in patients’ states and their recovery. Finally, the overall effects might differ because of the pathophysiology and the mechanisms of the pathogen’s impact and penetration.
Education
The discussed diseases may be dangerous for individuals, meaning they should be educated about them. For influenza cases, it is vital to ensure that patients are taught how to use antiviral medicines and know about major complications. Furthermore, it is vital to outline the ways of transmission to ensure they can protect themselves and others from the virus. For pneumonia, patients should be educated about how to use antibiotics and painkillers and possible complications to ensure all recommendations are followed. Finally, for COVID-19, the patients should be explained how to use medications to manage symptoms and avoid complications and consider social distancing issues. It would help to make the treatment process more effective.
The patients with any of the discussed diseases should also be explained the peculiarities of diet and physical exercises that might help to treat diseases and increase the speed of recovery. Thus, the diet should include chicken soup, herbal tea, fruits, and garlic. Furthermore, nuts, white meat, beans, and salmon should also be a part of everyday meals. Patients should be educated about the importance of supplements, such as zinc, vitamins, fiber, and iron. Individuals should also do physical exercises, such as walks and regular activity, which might help improve their state and make symptoms easier (Torres et al., 2021). Finally, it is vital to educate them about how to remain healthy, such as avoiding touching eyes with dirty hands and contact with sick people and observing recommendations and prophylactic measures (Yavuz & Ünal, 2020).
Takeaways
The information collected about the diseases shows that the differences in the pathophysiology shape the way it impact the client. Although influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 affect the respiratory system, they work in different ways and have various mechanisms of action. It is explained by how viruses and bacteria work and what changes they trigger in the body. Another important takeaway is that influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 might promote severe complications affecting various organs and systems. These might include issues with the heart, kidney, lungs, liver, and brain (Metlay et al., 2019). In such a way, the illnesses are dangerous and should be given much attention.
Another important takeaway is that the diseases might have similar symptoms, such as cough, fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting. However, it does not mean that the treatment should be the same. The patients should be educated that it is risky to disregard symptoms, and the major prescriptions and recommendations should be followed. For this reason, the treatment should be selected regarding the pathogen and its impact on the body. Antibiotics, antiviral, or other drugs should be prescribed by a physician after the necessary tests are made and the data vital for diagnosing is acquired. Altogether, influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 should be viewed as dangerous diseases that might promote serious changes in the body’s work. The risks also come from the complications and the adverse effects caused by the pathogens. These might include heart failure, problems in gaseous exchange, and even death. For this reason, it is vital to know the peculiarities of the diseases and how they should be managed.
References
Hutchinson, E. C. (2018). Influenza virus. Trends in Microbiology, 26(9), 809–810. Web.
Metlay, J. P., Waterer, G. W., Long, A. C., Anzueto, A., Brozek, J., Crothers, K.,& Whitney, C. G. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. An official clinical practice guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 200(7), 45–67. Web.
Singh, A. K., Gupta, R., Ghosh, A., &Misra, A. (2020). Diabetes in COVID-19: Prevalence, pathophysiology, prognosis and practical considerations. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 14(4), 303-310. Web.
Torres, A., Cilloniz, C., Niederman, M. S., Menendez, R., Chalmers, J. D., Wunderink, R. G., & van der Poll, T. (2021). Pneumonia. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 7(1), 1-28. Web.
Yavuz, S., & Ünal, S. (2020). Antiviral treatment of COVID-19. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 50(9), 611-619. Web.