TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Influenza A1 - Hayani, Karen C. A1 - Frank, Arthur L. A2 - Schafermeyer, Robert A2 - Tenenbein, Milton A2 - Macias, Charles G. A2 - Sharieff, Ghazala Q. A2 - Yamamoto, Loren G. PY - 2014 T2 - Strange and Schafermeyer's Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 4e AB - Influenza usually causes yearly winter epidemics in temperate climates, but new strains that have the potential to cause infrequent but severe worldwide pandemics can arise.Influenza is transmitted by inhalation of infected droplets and aerosols (from persons with coughing or sneezing) or by direct contact with contaminated animals or objects.Viral shedding of influenza begins 24 hours before the onset of clinical illness and can last for 1 to 2 weeks.The most common symptoms in teenagers and adults include fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and malaise. Children may present with atypical symptoms that include lower respiratory tract symptoms. Infants may present with fever or apnea.In patients with lower respiratory symptoms, it may be difficult to distinguish primary influenza pneumonia from secondary bacterial pneumonia (both clinically and radiographically).Most influenza infections are self-limited and require only supportive care; however, antiviral medications can be considered for children at risk for severe or complicated infections (e.g., immunocompromised or with underlying cardiopulmonary disease), healthy children with severe symptoms, or children with special environmental circumstances (e.g., immunocompromised family members).If antiviral medications are started, they should be started within the first 24 to 48 hours of symptoms and given for 5 days. Evidence suggests they shorten the duration of symptoms but it is less clear whether they prevent serious complications, such as viral or secondary bacterial pneumonia.The website of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), www.cdc.gov, is regularly updated, and provides information for parents and patients, and recommendations for physicians (e.g., immunization and antiviral medication information). SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105683397 ER -