Diseases & Conditions >
This topic is from The 5-Minute Clinical Consult About our sources

Influenza Updated 3/2011

Richard Kent Zimmerman, MD, MPH
Email       Print Section  |  Print Topic       Add to My Favorites

BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS

Description
  • Acute, usually self-limited, febrile infection caused by influenza virus types A and B
  • Marked by inflammation of nasal mucosa, pharynx, conjunctiva, and respiratory tract
  • Outbreaks occur almost every winter with varying degrees of severity.
  • Influenza virus rarely displays antigenic shift (variation). This leads to strains of virus to which little immunologic resistance exists in a population, and it may result in pandemics. Displays minor antigenic variation called drift.
  • System(s) affected: Head/Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat; Pulmonary
  • Synonym(s): Flu; Grip; Acute catarrhal fever
  • Swine H1N1 also affects the gastrointestinal system
Epidemiology
  • Predominant age: Highest in young and school-aged children (3 months–16 years old) and young adults:
    • Morbidity: Seasonal morbidity highest in elderly (>75 yrs ...

You must be logged in to fully access this content.

View a sample algorithm for "Anemia"
Sign In
Forgot your password?
Sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 30-Day FREE Trial now and receive access to all content.

Start free trial!
Take a tour of 5MinuteConsult.com
Subscribe now to 5MinuteConsult

Have a book code?

Submit your book code to create your FREE standard account.