Influenza: Case Study #1

Question 2 Feedback

What do you tell her to do?

E) Rest (tough for a mother)

Correct. Please choose another answer.

Rest is needed because physical activity increases oxygen requirements and therefore breathing. This has two effects: 1) deep breathing is more apt to "suck" the virus down the respiratory tract into terminal bronchi and alveoli; 2) deep breathing cools the epithelium, thereby increasing the efficiency of viral replication. Flu viruses grow very poorly at 37 degrees C and best at 33-35 degrees C.

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