Reference no: EM132501970

Karen is a 22 year old Nursing student that works at the local supermarket in her hometown. It is now the winter season and thus the height of cold and flu season in her hometown. She'd never gotten vaccinated before and had always made it through "flu season" just fine. Additionally, her two best friends were both vaccinated against influenza last year and had still gotten sick. Upon discussing her concerns with them, both warned her against getting vaccinated and told her that vaccines did not work and would only make her sick. They also urged her to join an "anti-vaccine" group on Facebook that talked about the dangers of vaccines and how they could cause autism in children. While the warnings of friends as well as those in the online FB group were convincing, Karen was still conflicted in her decision as to what she should do. Since taking Microbiology at WCU and learning about viruses and the viral replication process, Karen became concerned about her own risk for acquiring the virus and becoming sick. Additionally, because she worked with the public on a daily basis at the supermarket, many of whom came in coughing and sneezing on a daily basis, as well as interacting with her classmates at school, Karen is now debating whether or not she should get the flu vaccination to protect her against this year's seasonal flu outbreak. Thus, she decided to do further research to assist her in her decision. At the suggestion of her Microbiology professor, Karen goes online to the World Health Organization's (WHO) website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website to learn more about influenza, the influenza vaccine, and her risk for acquiring the virus to assist her in her decision on whether or not to get vaccinated. She also logged into Mastering Microbiology via the study area of her course website to learn more about how viruses replicate in general. Please provide in text citations and a refernce for any sources used.

1.What type of virus is influenza? What are the various modes of transmission through which it can be acquired?

2. What are the signs and symptoms of influenza? Should be antibiotics be used to treat this infection if Karen acquires it?

3. Is it a reasonable gamble for Karen to skip the influenza vaccine this year? Why or why not?

4. If Karen decides to get vaccinated this year, can she skip out on getting vaccinated during the next year's seasonal flu outbreak? Why or why not?

5. If Karen gets decides to get vaccinated this year, will she be protected against the latest SARS Coronavirus Type 2 that causes COVID-19? Why or why not?

6. Why did Karen's two best friends end up getting sick after getting vaccinated against influenza? What should she tell them to encourage them to get vaccinated in the future?