Influenza in the Elderly - 1248 Words

Influenza in the elderly: What you need to know Access to health care services Influenza is a serious but common respiratory illness. The flu usually occurs in 15-25% of the worlds human population each year. This illness typically has a low death rate, with average overall mortality rates of 0.1% (Pierce Black 2008: 1). However, the elderly are one of the more susceptible populations to contracting influenza and suffer more severe consequences than healthy adults as a result of being exposed to the flu. It is true that the elderly often have the advantage of being connected to regular healthcare services. Elderly patients do not have the issue of lacking insurance, unlike their younger counterparts, given that they have Medicare coverage through the government, as well as any private insurance they might possess. However, the elderly may also be more likely to be socially isolated than their younger counterparts, and lack transportation to clinics and pharmacies where they can obtain low-cost flu shots. The efficacy of the flu vaccine has long been noted: there is overwhelming evidence for the clinical efficacy of the influenza vaccine, especially in the elderly with chronic disease, reducing mortality and hospital admissions. There is also evidence to suggest that the influenza vaccine may be beneficial in the healthy elderly (Morgan King 1996: 339). Thus, there is a need to increase compliance amongst the elderly in getting a flu shot on an annualShow MoreRelatedInfluenza And The Elderly : Epidemic1920 Words   |  8 PagesInfluenza and the Elderly The last few days of summer are upon us, the leaves are beginning to change and it is once again fall in East Tennessee. While many are beginning to enjoy a relaxing break before the stresses of winter and the holidays, healthcare providers are bracing for the rush. The rush I speak of is that of doctor’s offices which are over run with those complaining of fevers, aches, and chills. Influenza season begins as early as August and can run as long as in to late March. ThoseRead MoreInfluenza Is An Acute Viral Infection1341 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction (.5 pages) Seasonal influenza commonly referred to as the â€Å"flu† is an acute viral infection caused by the influenza virus that can have possibly devastating effects on a community (â€Å"Influenza (Seasonal),† 2014). Seasonal influenza viruses cause annual epidemics that peak during the winter but can begin as early as late fall and last through early spring (â€Å"Prevention and Control of Influenza,† 2008). Influenza infections in the US affect a large amount of the US population. On averageRead MoreInfluenza Vaccines And The Flu Vaccine1519 Words   |  7 PagesInfluenza Vaccines Summary This paper explores published works related to patients who received the flu vaccine who were sixty-five years and older. The evaluated articles examine the effectiveness the flu vaccine had on the patient population of sixty-five years and older in relation to avoiding the flu and pneumonia diseases and hospitalizations, in this group of patients. It has been conceded for years that senior adults age sixty-five and older are at greater risk from an influenza illness andRead MoreThe Flu Shot: Why Do I Need to Get It? Essay1568 Words   |  7 Pageschildren all the way to the elderly population. First of all, what is the flu vaccine and its purpose? According to Wikipedia, The influenza vaccination is an annual vaccination using a vaccine specific for a given year to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. Each influenza vaccine contains antigens representing three (trivalent vaccine) or four (quadrivalent vaccine) influenza virus strains: one influenza type A subtype H1 N1 virus strain, one influenza type A subtype H3N2 virus strainRead MoreIn a Written Paper of 1,200-1,500 Words, Apply the Concepts of Epidemiology and Nursing Research to a Communicable Disease.1408 Words   |  6 PagesInfluenza Introduction Influenza is among the most prevalent infectious airborne viral diseases that affect the respiratory system. According to the World Health Organization (2016), the infection majorly affects the throat, nose, and the bronchi, and on rare occasions, it may affect the lungs. Also commonly known as the flu, influenza infection is characterized by sneezing, itchy and running nose as well as throat inflammation. The initial signs and symptoms include fever with temperatures higherRead More INFLUENZA Essay1582 Words   |  7 PagesINFLUENZA Introduction One can claim that influenza is an infection that has victimized people from just about every generation that we have known. The term Influenza comes from the Latin word influentia, first used by the Italians in the 1600s. It is a highly contagious infection particulary of the respiratory tract.In addition to us humans, influenza can occur in pigs, horses, and several other mammals as well as in certain wild and birds. It can also jump from specie to specie as observedRead MoreInfluenza is caused by an RNA virus from the Orthomyxoviridae family (that consists of the genera700 Words   |  3 PagesInfluenza is caused by an RNA virus from the Orthomyxoviridae family (that consists of the genera influenza A, B, and C). Human influenza A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics almost each winter within the United States. Influenza type B infects humans only, therefore it is unable of undergoing a mutation. Pandemics are caused solely by influenza A strains. The emergence of a new and completely different influenza virus to infect people will cause an influenza pandemic. Influenza kind C infectionsRead MoreEssay On Critical Evaluation Of Control Plan1112 Words   |  5 Pages5. Critical evaluation of control strategies within plans 5.1 Surveillance and detection As influenza is a global virus, surveillance is carried out at several levels: globally by the WHO’s Global Influenza Programme (GIP); regionally, for example European surveillance; and nationally by each countrys own surveillance systems (Johnson et al., 2010; WHO, 2017c). Various other global data sharing websites, for example FluNet and FluID provide up-to-date global surveillance information, allowing nationalRead MoreVaccine and Influenza Illness Essay1230 Words   |  5 PagesGrant Wade April 22, 2001 Influenza Influenza Influenza, also known as the flu, is a virus that infects the respiratory tract. Although Influenza is not as severe as many viral infections it is almost the worst for viral infections of the respiratory tract. Typically, when someone is infected with influenza they experience fever (usually 100 ° to 103 °F in adults, but even higher in children) and causes a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and also headaches, muscle aches, and usuallyRead More INFLUENZA Essay examples1179 Words   |  5 Pages Influenza, also known as â€Å"the flu,† is a virus that infects the respiratory tract. Although Influenza is not as severe as many viral infections its almost the worst for viral infections of the respiratory tract. Typically, when someone is infected with influenza they experience fever (usually 100 ° to 103 °F in adults, but even higher in children) and causes a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and also headaches, muscle aches, and usually extreme tiredn ess. There are sometimes other symptoms