Concept about Influenza – Health of the children has been considered as the vital importance to all societies because children are the basic resource for the future of humankind. Nursing care of children is concerned for both the health of the children and for the illnesses that affect their growth and development. The increasing complexity of medical and nursing science has created a need for special area of child care, i.e. pediatric nursing.
Pediatric nursing is the specialized area of nursing practice concerning the care of children during wellness and illness. It includes preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care of children. It emphasizes on all round development of body, mind and spirit of the growing individual. Thus, pediatric nursing involves in giving assistance, care and support to the growing and developing children to achieve their individual potential for functioning with fullest capacity.
Concept about Influenza
Definition of Influenza:
It is an acute infectious disease caused by a group of myxoviruses, and is characterized by a short incubation period, fever, great prostration, cough, coryza, headache, chill myalgia and a mild sore throat.
Clinical Features:
- Headache
- Fever (380 to 400C).
- Aching muscles and joints.
- Chest pains.
- Lack of appetite.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- A runny nose and sore throat
- Dry cough
- Restless sleep.
- Chills and shivering.
- Indigestion.
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Complication of Influenza:
1. Pneumonia
2. Bronchitis
3. Sinus infections
4. Ear infections
Management of Influenza:
1. Bed rest.
2. Paracetamol 0.5-1 gm 4-6 hourly.
3. Pholcodine 5-10 mg 6-8 hourly for cough.
4. Specific treatment of pneumonia (if developed) may necessary.
5. Antiviral agents (e.g. zanamivir) reduce the rate of viral replication and may be effective when used as an adjunct to vaccination.
Controlling Measures:
- Reporting of occurrence of epidemics
- Isolation is generally impractical under most circumstances
- Chemoprophylaxis with amantadine hydrochloride against type A virus.
- Treatment with amantadine hydrochloride 100-200 mg daily may attenuate influenza a infection and should be reserved for individual with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases
- Health education is helpful to reduce the spread
Read more: