Keterangan
Annual influenza vaccination is a primary and effective measure for preventing flu in children. It is recommended for all eligible children, typically starting at six months of age. Teaching children proper hand hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, can reduce the risk of influenza transmission. Educate children on covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets. Encourage children to avoid close contact with individuals who are sick, and teach them to recognize and maintain distance from those showing flu-like symptoms.Promoting overall health through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can strengthen a child's immune system and enhance resistance to infections, including influenza.In cases where a child develops influenza, antiviral medications prescribed by a healthcare professional can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms if administered early in the illness.
Ringkasan
- Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory infection characterized by sudden fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and sometimes sore throat or cough. In infants, it can manifest as gastroenteritis or resemble bronchiolitis or croup. Globally, there are about a billion cases annually with millions of severe illnesses and hundreds of thousands of respiratory deaths.
- The influenza virus belongs to the orthomyxoviridae family and exists in types A, B, and C. Its spherical structure contains RNA and surface proteins like hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), which determine subtypes. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, coughing, sneezing, and contaminated surfaces. It is communicable from one day before symptom onset to seven days after.
- Clinical diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping symptoms with common colds, allergies, and other respiratory infections. Complications include sinusitis, otitis media, pneumonia, myocarditis, and neurological issues. Differential diagnoses must consider SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus.
- Treatment involves separating influenza patients into suspected, probable, and confirmed cases, particularly during pandemics. High-risk individuals (pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions) require prompt antiviral treatment. Red flag symptoms in children necessitate immediate hospitalization.
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is a commonly used antiviral, while zanamivir is inhaled and can cause bronchospasm. Amantadine and rimantadine are less effective. Hygiene practices, like handwashing, cough etiquette, and mask use, are crucial. The quadrivalent flu vaccine, updated annually by the WHO, is recommended for children and high-risk groups, although its efficacy is limited due to viral mutations.
Contoh Sertifikat
Tentang Pembicara
Dr. Rama Krishna Cheruvu
Senior Consultant Pediatrician at Mayflower Hospital & Trinity Hospital in Hyderabad.
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