tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
JAAPA
Topics in Infectious Diseases
Battling influenza: Universal vaccination is the primary weapon
Early treatment can reduce the severity and duration of influenza in high-risk populations.
■ Neuraminidase inhibitors are the drugs of choice for treatment and chemoprophylaxis.
■ Universal vaccination is recommended for people older than 6 months, with few exceptions.
■ Vaccination should continue through out the influenza season for high-risk persons.
■ Cancer patients on chemotherapy or with hematologic malignancies are less likely to mount a complete protective response to vaccination.
Seasonal influenza is a common respiratory viral infection with the capacity to affect the entire population, including healthy young adults. Influenza is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from 3,000 to 49,000 people.1 Influenza accounts for more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year, and related economic costs exceed $87 billion.2
PATTERNS OF ILLNESS
In the United States, seasonal influenza can occur as early as October and continue through the following May; most cases, however, occur between November and April, and cases typically peak in January or February. Most people with influenza experience fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, headache, malaise, and myalgia. For the majority, the disease is self-limiting and resolves within 3 to 7 days. Children younger than 5 years, pregnant women, and adults older than 65 years are at higher risk for complications. Other high-risk groups include immunocompromised persons, such as those with cancer or HIV/AIDS; residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; Native Americans; the morbidly obese (body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2); persons younger than 19 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy; and those with inherited metabolic disorders, liver disorders, neurologic disorders, and certain chronic diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and sickle cell anemia).1
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http://www.jaapa.com/battling-influenza-universal-vaccination-is-the-primary-weapon/article/221838/
Topics in Infectious Diseases
Battling influenza: Universal vaccination is the primary weapon
Early treatment can reduce the severity and duration of influenza in high-risk populations.
■ Neuraminidase inhibitors are the drugs of choice for treatment and chemoprophylaxis.
■ Universal vaccination is recommended for people older than 6 months, with few exceptions.
■ Vaccination should continue through out the influenza season for high-risk persons.
■ Cancer patients on chemotherapy or with hematologic malignancies are less likely to mount a complete protective response to vaccination.
Seasonal influenza is a common respiratory viral infection with the capacity to affect the entire population, including healthy young adults. Influenza is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from 3,000 to 49,000 people.1 Influenza accounts for more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year, and related economic costs exceed $87 billion.2
PATTERNS OF ILLNESS
In the United States, seasonal influenza can occur as early as October and continue through the following May; most cases, however, occur between November and April, and cases typically peak in January or February. Most people with influenza experience fever, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, headache, malaise, and myalgia. For the majority, the disease is self-limiting and resolves within 3 to 7 days. Children younger than 5 years, pregnant women, and adults older than 65 years are at higher risk for complications. Other high-risk groups include immunocompromised persons, such as those with cancer or HIV/AIDS; residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; Native Americans; the morbidly obese (body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2); persons younger than 19 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy; and those with inherited metabolic disorders, liver disorders, neurologic disorders, and certain chronic diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, congenital heart disease, and sickle cell anemia).1
..
http://www.jaapa.com/battling-influenza-universal-vaccination-is-the-primary-weapon/article/221838/