Influenza Brochure
Influenza Brochure
Influenza Brochure
Disease
Influenza (flu) is an acute,
highly contagious viral
respiratory infection caused
by one of three types of
myxovirus influenza. The
incubation period is 24 to 48
hours. Symptoms appear
approximately 72 hours after
contact with the virus, and
the infected person remains
contagious for 3 days.
Following respiratory
transmission from one
infected person to another
from up to 6 feet away, the
virus attaches to and
penetrates respiratory
epithelial cells in the trachea
and bronchi. Viral replication
occurs, which results in the
destruction of the host cells.
Factors that may increase risk
for developing influenza or
complications include: age,
occupation, living conditions,
a weaken immune system,
chronic illness and pregnancy.
According to the CDCs Flu
View, a weekly surveillance
report, as of February 21,
2015, influenza activity has
continued to decrease, but
remains elevated in the
NCLEX Questions
After exposure, which of the following
clients is most at risk for developing
influenza?
o
Recent cholecysetectomy
References
(2015). 2014-2015 influenza season
week 7
ending February 21,
2015. FluView A
Weekly
Surveillence Report Prepared by
the Influenza Division. Centers
for
Disease Control and Prevention
<http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/pdf/E
xternal_F1507.pdf>
Ackley, Betty J., Ladwig, Gail B. (2014)
Mosbys
Guide to Nursing
Diagnosis. Maryland
Heights,
Missouri: Elsevier.
Influenza
headache. The fever is usually 101102F, and accompanied by prostration. Myalgias mainly affect the back muscles. Cough
is believed to be a result of tracheal epithelial destruction. Additional symptoms may include rhinorrhea (runny nose),
substernal chest burning and ocular symptoms (e.g., eye pain and sensitivity to light). Complications of influenza include
pneumonia, myositis, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Reye's syndrome. In rare cases, influenza
can lead to encephalitis, transverse myelitis, myocarditis, or pericarditis. Persons of any age with certain underlying medical
conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, those who have had a stroke, pregnant women, those with HIV or AIDS,
people who have cancer are also at higher risk for complications.
Significance to
Nursing
For more than three decades, the
CDC has recommended the
annual flu vaccines for
healthcare workers, even those
who do not directly work with
patients. By doing so, nursing
staff and the other hospital
employees are fulfilling their
ethical responsibilities as role
models to the public in disease
prevention. When treating a
patient diagnosed with influenza,
using proper personal protective
equipment such as masks for
droplet precautions, will protect
the nurse from infection. Also,
health care providers who get
diagnosed with influenza are
required to stay home a certain
number of days after their fever
returns to normal.An increase in