What’s the Latest with the Flu?

On By barterclinicadmin
Courtesy of Red Book Online Special Alerts

Flu activity has decreased in some areas, but overall remains elevated in the United States. Flu activity is likely to continue in parts of the country for several more weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) notice and AAP Newsarticle offer current recommendations on how to prevent and manage the flu.

 

To date, 86 pediatric deaths have been reported this season. Among children 6 months and older, 80 to 85 percent of flu-related pediatric deaths occur in children who have not been vaccinated. Vaccination remains the most important step in protecting against influenza.

 

Antiviral medications are a valuable second line of defense for children, but should not be a substitute for influenza immunization. The AAP endorsed a CDC letter to clinicians recommending prompt antiviral treatment when flu is suspected. Clinicians should never delay antiviral treatment while waiting for a definitive influenza test result. Early therapy provides the best outcomes, as the benefit of antiviral treatment is greatest when initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset. Antiviral treatment should be offered for:

  • Any child hospitalized with presumed influenza or with severe, complicated, or progressive illness attributable to influenza, regardless of influenza status or whether the onset of influenza occurred more than 48 hours before admission.
  • Influenza infection of any severity in children at high risk of complications from the disease.

Also see the Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Critically Ill Children With Influenza study showing prompt treatment with antivirals may improve survival of children critically ill with flu.

 

It is important to inquire about influenza vaccination when monitoring people with potential Ebola virus exposure. The CDC has released ” Interim Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination and Post-exposure Chemoprophylaxis to Prevent Influenza Virus Infection in People Being Actively Monitored for Potential Ebola Virus Exposure.” Patients who have not received their flu vaccine this season should be offered it.

 

Please plan to participate in an AAP/CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) webinar titled “Protecting Children: Influenza Updates for Clinicians,” on Thursday, February 26, 2015, at 2:00pm ET/1:00pm CT. During this webinar, clinicians will learn about the current state of flu activity among children, the importance of continued vaccination despite the mismatch and low vaccine effectiveness, strategies for using antiviral therapy early to prevent and treat influenza, and an update from the upcoming ACIP meeting this month. For more information on this webinar, including a transcript and archived version of the webinar, see http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2015/callinfo_022615.asp. Advanced registration is not required.

 

Be sure to check out the AAP Flu Courses “Influenza Office Testing and Vaccinating Egg-Allergic Children” and “Prevention and Control of Influenza: 2014-2015.” These online courses deliver valuable information for clinicians to help keep children healthy during flu season. Each online course brings the learner up to date in less than an hour and qualifies for American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) Category 1 Credit(s)TM.

 

Of note, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet in March 2015, to select the flu vaccine composition for the 2015-2016 season.

 

For more detailed influenza information, see the AAP Red Book OnlineInfluenza Resource page or the CDC FluView. All What’s the Latest with the Flu messages are archived.