First Do No Harm: Prevention Strategies for Influenza Season

Abstract

Influenza is a significant cause of morbidity and death in the United States and around the world. 1 Grohskopf LA Olsen SJ Sokolow LZ et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—United States, 2014–15 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly. 2014; 63 (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6332a3.htm. Published August 15, 2014. Accessed May 31, 2015): 691-697 PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Reed C Kim IK Singleton JA et al. Estimated influenza illnesses and hospitalizations averted by vaccination—United States, 2013–2014 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014; 63: 1151-1154 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Boyle J Crilly J Keijzers G et al. Impact of influenza across 27 public emergency departments in Australia: a 5-year descriptive study. Emerg Med J. 2012; 29: 725-731 Crossref PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar , 4 Hiller KM Sullivan D Influenza vaccination in the emergency department: are our patients at risk?. J Emerg Med. 2009; 37: 439-443 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar , 5 Gasparini R Amicizia D Lai PL Panatto D Clinical and socioeconomic impact of seasonal and pandemic influenza in adults and the elderly. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2012; 8: 21-28 Crossref PubMed Scopus (83) Google Scholar , 6 World Health Organization Influenza virus (seasonal). Fact sheet. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/ Google Scholar Seasonal influenza circulates annually and is spread from person to person through contact with contaminated surfaces, coughing, and sneezing. For many people, influenza is an uncomfortable but recoverable illness, although in higher-risk populations such as the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and people with chronic medical conditions, it can lead to serious complications including death. 6 World Health Organization Influenza virus (seasonal). Fact sheet. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/ Google Scholar Anna Maria Valdez, Member, San Francisco Chapter, is Faculty, School of Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN.