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Influenza (Flu) Description: It's Important To Note That Not Everyone With Flu Will Have A Fever
Influenza (Flu) Description: It's Important To Note That Not Everyone With Flu Will Have A Fever
Description
Influenza (flu) is an acute, highly contagious viral respiratory infection that is caused by
one of three types of myxovirus influenzae. Influenza occurs all over the world and is
more common during winter months.
*Its important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Diagnostic Examination
Rapid diagnostic tests for influenza can help in the diagnosis and management
f patients
who present with signs and symptoms compatible with influenza. They also are useful for
helping to determine whether outbreaks of respiratory disease, such as in nursing homes and
other settings, might be due to influenza.
No specific diagnostic tests are used because diagnosis is made by the history of symptoms and
onset. If the patient has symptoms of a bacterial infection that complicates influenza, cultures
and sensitivities may be required.
Complications of flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and
worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Mode of Transmission
Influenza virus shedding (the time during which a person might be infectious to another person) begins
the day before symptoms appear and virus is then released for between 5 to 7 days, although some
people may shed virus for longer periods. People who contract influenza are most infective between the
second and third days after infection.The amount of virus shed appears to correlate with fever, with
higher amounts of virus shed when temperatures are highest.Children are much more infectious than
adults and shed virus from just before they develop symptoms until two weeks after infection.
Medical Management
People with the flu are advised to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol
and tobacco and, if necessary, take medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) to relieve
the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu.
Children and teenagers with flu symptoms (particularly fever) should avoid taking aspirin during
an influenza infection (especially influenza type B), because doing so can lead to Reye's
syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease of the liver.
Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no effect on the infection; unless prescribed
for secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia.
Antiviral medication may be effective, but some strains of influenza can show resistance to the
standard antiviral drugs and there is concern about the quality of the research.
Phenylephrine and antitussive agents such as terpin hydrate with codeine are often prescribed
to relieve nasal congestion and coughing. In patients with influenza that is complicated by
pneumonia, antibiotics may be administered to treat a bacterial superinfection.
Dosage
Description
Rationale
Antipyretics
Aspirin,
acetaminophen
Amantadine
Other Drugs: Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir) for use in treatment and
prophylaxis of influenza A and B; rimantadine for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A only;
Nursing Interventions
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Prevention
Vaccination
The influenza vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organization and United States Center for
Disease Control and Prevention for high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly, health care workers,
and people who have chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or are immunocompromised among others.
There are two types of vaccines:
The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. It
can be given in the muscle or just under the skin. The flu shot that is given in the muscle is
approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with
chronic medical conditions. The flu shot that is given below the skin is for those 18-64 years of
age.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated
Influenza Vaccine") made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. LAIV is
approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Infection control
Reasonably effective ways to reduce the transmission of influenza include good personal health
and hygiene habits such as: not touching your eyes, nose or mouth;frequent hand washing (with
soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand rubs);covering coughs and sneezes; avoiding close
contact with sick people; and staying home yourself if you are sick.
Although face masks might help prevent transmission when caring for the sick, there is mixed
evidence on beneficial effects in the community.
Smoking raises the risk of contracting influenza, as well as producing more severe disease
symptoms.
Since influenza spreads through both aerosols and contact with contaminated surfaces, surface
sanitizing may help prevent some infections.
Alcohol is an effective sanitizer against influenza viruses, while quaternary ammonium
compounds can be used with alcohol so that the sanitizing effect lasts for longer.
In hospitals, quaternary ammonium compounds and bleach are used to sanitize rooms or
equipment that have been occupied by patients with influenza symptoms.At home, this can be
done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach.
References:
http://www.virology.ws/2009/04/29/influenza-virus-transmission/
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/index-eng.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza#Transmission
http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/fact_sheet.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm