Fw: New information on pediatric flu cases - FL Dept of Health
Peter Cohen
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Peter Cohen D.O.
Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 5:15 PM
To: La Mendola, Robert Louis
Subject: New information on pediatric flu cases - FL Dept of Health
October 2, 2018
Dear Provider,
While influenza activity remains low nationally and in Florida, cases have been recently diagnosed in children in Broward County, several requiring admission to Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Influenza activity levels are expected to increase which is typical for this time of year. Annual vaccination is the best way to protect children and adults against the flu. Additionally, empiric antiviral treatment should be initiated immediately pending influenza testing results, particularly in those people at high risk for complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend influenza vaccination for all persons 6 months of age without contraindications. Antiviral medications are also recommended for treatment of influenza in people who are severely ill and people who are at high risk of serious flu complications. These include people aged ≥65 years or <2 years; pregnant women; persons with chronic lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, renal, metabolic, hematologic and neurologic disease; immunosuppression; and morbid obesity; American Indians or Alaska Natives, and residents of chronic care facilities.
Confirmation of influenza virus infection by diagnostic testing is not required for decisions to prescribe antiviral medication. Decision-making should be based upon signs and symptoms consistent with influenza illness and epidemiologic factors. Initiation of empiric antiviral treatment should not be delayed while influenza testing results are pending. Antiviral treatment is clinically most beneficial when started as close to illness onset as possible.
The signs and symptoms of influenza can vary by age, immune status, and presence of underlying medication conditions. Uncomplicated influenza can include any or all of these signs and symptoms: fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and possibly runny nose. Fever is not always present in influenza patients, especially in elderly persons. The fever and body aches can last 3-5 days and the cough and lack of energy may last for 2 or more weeks, especially in the elderly.
A number of tests can help in the diagnosis of influenza. Preferred respiratory samples for influenza testing include nasopharyngeal or nasal swab, and nasal wash or aspirate, depending on which kind of test is used (see table). Samples should be collected within the first 3-4 days of illness.
Please remind your patients about healthy behaviors that can help protect them from the flu and help fight the flu. These include:
∙ Get your flu vaccine. Although flu vaccines can vary in effectiveness from season to season, they continue to be the best way to prevent influenza infection and serious influenza complications. It is not too late to get vaccinated this season.
∙ Wash your hands regularly.
∙ If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
∙ Avoid unnecessary touching of your eyes, mouth, and nose as you can easily contract the flu just by touching a surface an infected person has touched.
∙ Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough using a tissue or your upper sleeve, but not your hands. Wash your hands immediately afterwards.
∙ Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
∙ Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
Please report any influenza outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths to the Florida Department of Health in Broward County at 954-467-4700 ext. 5575.
Sincerely,
Paula Thaqi, MD, MPH
Director, Florida Department of Health in Broward County
