A 35-year-old woman comes to the office due to fever, headache, severe muscle aches, and sore throat for the last 4 days. Physical examination shows mild pharyngeal erythema and nasal congestion. A rapid influenza antigen test is positive. The patient's condition improves over the next several days despite receiving only symptomatic treatment. In response to the influenza virus, infected respiratory epithelial cells begin secreting increased quantities of interferons. The specific interferons secreted by these cells will most likely cause which of the following changes?

Question

A 35-year-old woman comes to the office due to fever, headache, severe muscle aches, and sore throat for the last 4 days.  Physical examination shows mild pharyngeal erythema and nasal congestion.  A rapid influenza antigen test is positive.  The patient's condition improves over the next several days despite receiving only symptomatic treatment.  In response to the influenza virus, infected respiratory epithelial cells begin secreting increased quantities of interferons.  The specific interferons secreted by these cells will most likely cause which of the following changes?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Interferons alpha and Beta are produced by most human cells in response to viral infections.  The production of alpha and Beta interferons helps suppress viral replication by halting protein synthesis and promoting apoptosis of infected cells, limiting the ability of viruses to spread through the tissues.

A 35-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office Due to Fever