Clinical Influenza Vaccine Treatment and Antivirals Infection Control Laboratory Testing Reporting Surveillance Data from Maricopa County Communication from the Public Health Department Downloadable Free Resources for Patient Education

Clinical

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Influenza

Uncomplicated influenza illness is characterized by the abrupt onset of constitutional and respiratory signs and symptoms (e.g., fever, myalgia, headache, malaise, nonproductive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis). Among children, otitis media, nausea, and vomiting also are commonly reported with influenza illness. Uncomplicated influenza illness typically resolves after 3-7 days for the majority of persons, although cough and malaise can persist for >2 weeks. However, influenza virus infections can cause primary influenza viral pneumonia; exacerbate underlying medical conditions (e.g., pulmonary or cardiac disease); lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, or otitis media; or contribute to coinfections with other viral or bacterial pathogens.

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Influenza Vaccine

For the first time, ACIP recommends routine influenza vaccination for all persons aged 6 months and older.

• ACIP Recommendations:

• Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

• Full Text of ACIP Recommendations

• Dosage, Administration and Storage

• Dosing for children under nine years old

• Adverse Events:

• Adverse events after receipt of TIV

• Adverse Events After Receipt of Live, Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)

• Where to direct patients to find flu vaccine: At the flu shot finder.

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Treatment and Antivirals

CDC Recommendations on the use of antiviral drugs for the current flu season

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Infection Control

Influenza viruses are spread from person to person primarily through large-particle respiratory droplet transmission (e.g., when an infected person coughs or sneezes near a susceptible person). Transmission via large-particle droplets requires close contact between source and recipient persons, because droplets do not remain suspended in the air and generally travel only a short distance (less than or equal to 1 meter) through the air. Contact with respiratory-droplet contaminated surfaces is another possible source of transmission. Airborne transmission (via small-particle residue [less than or equal to 5µm] of evaporated droplets that might remain suspended in the air for long periods of time) also is thought to be possible, although data supporting airborne transmission are limited.

The typical incubation period for influenza is 1—4 days (average: 2 days). Adults shed influenza virus from the day before symptoms begin through 5—10 days after illness onset. However, the amount of virus shed, and presumably infectivity, decreases rapidly by 3—5 days after onset in an experimental human infection model. Young children also might shed virus several days before illness onset, and children can be infectious for 10 or more days after onset of symptoms. Severely immunocompromised persons can shed virus for weeks or months.

• Infection control in healthcare facilities

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Laboratory Testing

• Specimen Submission Form

• Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests:

• Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: Information for Health Care Professionals

• Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza: Information for Clinical Laboratory Directors

 

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Reporting

• Influenza-associated mortality in a child is reportable by healthcare providers within one working day after a case or suspect case is diagnosed, treated, or detected.

• Laboratory test results consistent with influenza are reportable within five working days after obtaining a positive test result.

• If you are a medical provider and have a communicable disease to report, please download the Communicable Disease Reporting Form, complete it, and fax it to the appropriate office listed to the right. For example, fax communicable disease reports to (602) 506-8444.

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Surveillance Data from Maricopa County

Weekly flu reports

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Communication from Public Health Director, Dr. Bob

• July 14, 2010 - Dr. Bob's Article "Sick of the flu?" (Written originally for John C. Lincoln's Physician Newsletter)

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Downloadable Free Resources for Patient Education

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/index.htm

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