Flu deaths: Health Department information sheet
July 6, 2007
The Health Department has issued the following advice to medical
practitioners:
There has been a cluster of severe influenza A infections in young
children in Perth. Three children have died in the past week, with
early indications that the cause of death is influenza A infection.
These children were previously well and aged 2 to 4 years of age.
These children appear to have had a short prodrome of viral illness,
with fevers, upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough and lethargy
followed by rapid deterioration and death. A number of siblings
of these children have also become unwell and hospitalized and
have confirmed influenza A infection.
Clinical features of influenza
Fever, headache, myalgia, lethargy, coryza, sore throat and cough.
Infections, particularly in children can be associated with gastrointestinal
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Case definition
for influenza like illness (ILI) is FEVER, COUGH and FATIGUE.
Complications
Complications include middle ear infections, acute bacterial pneumonia,
exacerbation of chronic diseases and death.
Incubation
1 to 4 days
Infectious period
For 3 to 5 days from onset of illness, and up to 7 days and occasionally
longer in young children. For 1 day prior to onset of illness.
Diagnosis
Collection of nasal and throat swab. Use dry sterile swabs one
for each nostril and one for the throat. Place all into the same
tube of viral transport medium. If this is not available, then
into a dry tube, Do not use agar transport medium. Specimens can
be stored in the fridge, but not in the freezer. Specimens should
be transported in an esky with a cooler block, but ensure that
samples do not come into contact with the cooler.
Case management
Symptomatic treatment alone or with the
addition of neuraminidase inhibitor if commenced within the first
36 hours of the onset of illness can decrease the severity of the
illness. If patient is unwell and fits the case definition refer
to an ED Department for assessment and management.
Promote control of spread
- Hand washing
- Cleaning of contaminated surfaces
- Coughing or sneezing into
tissues
- Isolation from work / crowded places during the infectious
period
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