Influenza
Annals of Long-Term Care on the Web is a comprehensive resource for clinical information on geriatric medicine and long-term care as well as Influenza. We hope the articles below provide timely information for your practice.
Influenza Prevention and Treatment Strategies in the Elderly
It is well documented that patients age 65 years and older who are infected with the influenza virus will likely experience serious complications leading to hospitalization, and even death. In the past few years, there have been numerous advancements and changes, including the development of resistance, in the therapeutic agents available for treatment and prophylaxis of an influenza viral infection. Although the annual influenza vaccine is considered the gold standard in the prevention of such complications, a recent publication refutes its value. This article provides a general overview of the influenza virus and the therapeutic agents used in treatment and prophylaxis of the infection. Using evidence-based medicine and consensus data, it reviews strategies used in the therapeutic and practical management of influenza viral infections in elderly persons in various practice settings. (Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging 2006;14 [9]:20-27)
Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home
Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Paul J. Drinka, MD, and Stefan Gravenstein, MD Influenza is a highly infectious, potentially lethal illness; vaccination of residents and staff is the cornerstone of prevention. Secretion Precautions and Activity Adaptations to Prevent Influenza Transmission The CDC recommends droplet secretion precautions for hospitalized patients with influenza. Greater effectiveness from zanamivir treatment of ...
Prevention and Treatment of Influenza in the Long-Term Care Facility
1 Although high levels of influenza vaccine coverage among residents and staff can reduce the probability of an outbreak, influenza outbreaks can still occur. With four different antiviral agents now available to treat or prevent influenza, the options for antiviral chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza have increased, as has the complexity of choosing strategies for the control of influenza. Efficacy of influenza vaccine in nursing homes: Reduction in illness and complications during...
Influenza in the Elderly
When Magill first identified influenza B viruses, he coined the phrase influenza-like illness to distinguish it from infection from influenza A viruses. However, immunity from influenza infection (or from vaccination) caused by a particular strain of influenza virus is limited to strains that are closely related. Despite the recent introduction of new medications for the treatment of influenza, preventive management through the use of influenza vaccination remains vital for influenza ...
Prevention and Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Population
Prevention and Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Population Prevention and Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Population Kay E. Schwebke, MD, MPH An influenza outbreak is a significant threat to any long-term care facility. Both influenza A and influenza B may be responsible for epidemics; however, influenza A is more common.3 This fact is important because the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine, which are commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment, are ...
An Annotated Flu Quiz for Clinicians
The influenza vaccine is an inactivated preparation; it is noninfectious and cannot cause influenza. In one study, zanamivir effectively prevented laboratory-confirmed clinical influenza (67%), confirmed influenza with fever (84%), and influenza infections with and without symptoms (31%) in healthy adults (age 18-69 years) when administered daily for four weeks during an influenza outbreak.50 Spread of influenza within families was significantly reduced by zanamivir in a placebo-controlled ...
An Influenza Outbreak in an Immunized Nursing Home Population: Inadequate Host Response or Vaccine Failure?
An Influenza Outbreak in an Immunized Nursing Home Population: Inadequate Host Response or Vaccine Failure? Conclusion: Annual influenza vaccination of nursing home residents and staff members, though advisable, does not afford complete protection from infection of nursing home residents or staff members. The higher attack rates among nursing home residents compared to staff members suggest that older nursing home residents may mount an inadequate host response to influenza vaccination or ...
INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES IN THE ELDERLY
INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES IN THE ELDERLY Letter to the Editor: INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES IN THE ELDERLY - Click here to download full article in PDF format TO THE EDITOR: We would like to comment on the threshold for declaring a ? Infection Control Measures for Preventing and Controlling Influenza Transmission in Long-Term Care Facilities,? Guidelines and Recommendations: Infection Control Measures for Preventing and Controlling Influenza Transmission ...
Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly
Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly Kevin J. Reichmuth, MD, and Keith C. Meyer, MD Click here to download full article in PDF (Part Two of a two-part series. Treatment of Community-acquired pneumonia Treatment considerations for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly are similar to those in younger patients. The heptavalent vaccination would cover slightly fewer serotypes than the polysaccharide ...
Immunization and Screening for Infectious Disease: Health Care Workers in Long-Term Care
Residents of long-term care facilities are at increased risk of developing infectious diseases. Health care workers in long-term care facilities are a potential source of infection and are also at risk for contracting infections from residents of the facility. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses are called upon to assist long-term care facilities with the development and implementation of policies pertaining to employee health and its impact on infection control. All employees should be screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All employees should be offered vaccinations against hepatitis B and influenza. Each employee?s immunity status regarding varicella-zoster should be accessed by enquiring about past exposure and, if indicated, blood testing. If indicated, varicella-zoster immunization should be offered. Most long-term care employees should not be tested for HIV as part of their employment.(Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging 2005;13[9]:17-21)
It is well documented that patients age 65 years and older who are infected with the influenza virus will likely experience serious complications leading to hospitalization, and even death. In the past few years, there have been numerous advancements and changes, including the development of resistance, in the therapeutic agents available for treatment and prophylaxis of an influenza viral infection. Although the annual influenza vaccine is considered the gold standard in the prevention of such complications, a recent publication refutes its value. This article provides a general overview of the influenza virus and the therapeutic agents used in treatment and prophylaxis of the infection. Using evidence-based medicine and consensus data, it reviews strategies used in the therapeutic and practical management of influenza viral infections in elderly persons in various practice settings. (Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging 2006;14 [9]:20-27)
Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Paul J. Drinka, MD, and Stefan Gravenstein, MD Influenza is a highly infectious, potentially lethal illness; vaccination of residents and staff is the cornerstone of prevention. Secretion Precautions and Activity Adaptations to Prevent Influenza Transmission The CDC recommends droplet secretion precautions for hospitalized patients with influenza. Greater effectiveness from zanamivir treatment of ...
1 Although high levels of influenza vaccine coverage among residents and staff can reduce the probability of an outbreak, influenza outbreaks can still occur. With four different antiviral agents now available to treat or prevent influenza, the options for antiviral chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza have increased, as has the complexity of choosing strategies for the control of influenza. Efficacy of influenza vaccine in nursing homes: Reduction in illness and complications during...
When Magill first identified influenza B viruses, he coined the phrase influenza-like illness to distinguish it from infection from influenza A viruses. However, immunity from influenza infection (or from vaccination) caused by a particular strain of influenza virus is limited to strains that are closely related. Despite the recent introduction of new medications for the treatment of influenza, preventive management through the use of influenza vaccination remains vital for influenza ...
Prevention and Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Population Prevention and Management of Influenza in the Nursing Home Population Kay E. Schwebke, MD, MPH An influenza outbreak is a significant threat to any long-term care facility. Both influenza A and influenza B may be responsible for epidemics; however, influenza A is more common.3 This fact is important because the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine, which are commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment, are ...
The influenza vaccine is an inactivated preparation; it is noninfectious and cannot cause influenza. In one study, zanamivir effectively prevented laboratory-confirmed clinical influenza (67%), confirmed influenza with fever (84%), and influenza infections with and without symptoms (31%) in healthy adults (age 18-69 years) when administered daily for four weeks during an influenza outbreak.50 Spread of influenza within families was significantly reduced by zanamivir in a placebo-controlled ...
An Influenza Outbreak in an Immunized Nursing Home Population: Inadequate Host Response or Vaccine Failure? Conclusion: Annual influenza vaccination of nursing home residents and staff members, though advisable, does not afford complete protection from infection of nursing home residents or staff members. The higher attack rates among nursing home residents compared to staff members suggest that older nursing home residents may mount an inadequate host response to influenza vaccination or ...
INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES IN THE ELDERLY Letter to the Editor: INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES IN THE ELDERLY - Click here to download full article in PDF format TO THE EDITOR: We would like to comment on the threshold for declaring a ? Infection Control Measures for Preventing and Controlling Influenza Transmission in Long-Term Care Facilities,? Guidelines and Recommendations: Infection Control Measures for Preventing and Controlling Influenza Transmission ...
Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly Kevin J. Reichmuth, MD, and Keith C. Meyer, MD Click here to download full article in PDF (Part Two of a two-part series. Treatment of Community-acquired pneumonia Treatment considerations for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly are similar to those in younger patients. The heptavalent vaccination would cover slightly fewer serotypes than the polysaccharide ...
Residents of long-term care facilities are at increased risk of developing infectious diseases. Health care workers in long-term care facilities are a potential source of infection and are also at risk for contracting infections from residents of the facility. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses are called upon to assist long-term care facilities with the development and implementation of policies pertaining to employee health and its impact on infection control. All employees should be screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All employees should be offered vaccinations against hepatitis B and influenza. Each employee?s immunity status regarding varicella-zoster should be accessed by enquiring about past exposure and, if indicated, blood testing. If indicated, varicella-zoster immunization should be offered. Most long-term care employees should not be tested for HIV as part of their employment.(Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging 2005;13[9]:17-21)