Seasonal Influenza: An Overview

Abstract

Seasonal influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. It also has major social and economic consequences in the form of high rates of absenteeism from school and work as well as significant treatment and hospitalization costs. In fact, annual influenza epidemics and the resulting deaths and lost days of productivity are estimated to cost US$10.4 billion in direct medical expenses and US$16.4 billion in lost potential earnings. Given the enormous burden of seasonal influenza and the important role that school-age children play in the cycle of disease, school nurses need to be knowledgeable about all aspects of this condition, including its clinical course and how it is transmitted; the range of options for preventing and treating the disease; and steps that can be taken to improve the rates of immunization against influenza. School nurses also can help by making sure that they themselves are vaccinated in a timely manner.

Cellular microRNA let‐7c inhibits M1 protein expression of the H1N1 influenza A virus in infected human lung epithelial cells

“…Influenza A viruses (IAVs) can infect a broad spectrum of hosts (birds, humans and other mammals) and evolve into highly pathogenic strains . Influenza A virus is an RNA virus that encodes up to 11 proteins.…”

Practice What We Teach

“…Influenza's economic impact on students and their families is significant as well, because student absenteeism often equates to missed workdays for families and caregivers. As Li and Freedman (2009) recently discussed in a supplement to the Journal of School Nursing, a yearlong study of elementary school students in Seattle illustrates high rates of student absenteeism and parental work loss during an influenza season. From January 8 to March 2 (the peak of local influenza activity), for every 100 children in the study, a total of 63 missed school days occurred, resulting in an estimated 20 days of work missed by the students' parents.…”

Are we still afraid of influenza during the Sars-Cov2 pandemic? - epidemiological analysis of influenza morbidity and vaccination in the 2019/2020 season

“…(8) Given the huge seasonal influenza burden in children and adults, it is important that both doctors and school nurses have knowledge of all aspects of this condition, including its clinical course and how it is transmitted, the range of prevention and treatment options and steps that can be taken to improve the percentage of immunization against influenza. (9) In Poland:…”