Childhood Health Podcast Episode 3 - Influenza

February 1, 2007 by Kenneth Carlson, MD 

Episode three is now available. I really do plan to get more of these out, more frequently. Feel free to leave comments with your feedback. Read on for full show notes...

Introduction

  • Causes respiratory infections rather than “stomach flu”
  • RNA virus with two major types
  • serotype of virus changes each winter season
  • season is primarily winter months

Symptoms

  • Initially runny nose, cough, and eye irritation
  • Often progresses to fever, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches.
  • Diagnosis based on clinical symtpoms
  • Unlike other respiratory infections fever lasts longer, more fatigue, and overall duration of illness is longer.

Treatment

  • Primarily supportive including rest, fluids, and ibuprofen
  • Some antiviral medications used but limited by efficacy, cost and side effects.
  • Medical care important to monitor for bacterial complications, including ear infections and rarely pneumonia

Prevention / Vaccination

  • Excellent preventive strategy
  • Need to repeat dose each year for best protection due to shifting serotype of virus
  • Recommended for all kids ages 6M-5y old, elderly, and those with chronic health conditions
 
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One Response to “Childhood Health Podcast Episode 3 - Influenza”

  1. Trevor Holman on February 14th, 2007 11:18 am

    Appreciate the podcasts. Really enjoy the thourough details regarding the various topics to date. They have all been applicable to my boys so far. Please continue to produce these nice succient informative programs.

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