Master Influenza with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Viral infections often cause an increase in temperature. Febrile seizures may be present in small children and infants. Encourage additional fluid intake to replace fluid losses through sweating.

Influenza may affect lower respiratory tracts which differentiates it from the common cold. Cough is a less common symptom that is usually present in infants and resembles croup.

Severe headache is a common early symptom of influenza.

Also termed myalgias, patients with influenza often have characteristic feelings of muscle aches and soreness.

Patients with viral infections often have a high fever. As temperature regulation fluctuates in the body, this causes chills or a feeling of coolness or shivering as diaphoresis cools the skin.

The most important aspect of influenza treatment is prevention. Two types of vaccines are available as a nasal spray and intramuscular injection. Nasal spray influenza vaccine is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). LAIV is only given to children over the age of 2 years. Do not give LAIV to persons who are immunocompromised. The more common intramuscular vaccine is a killed (inactivated) virus given to children over the age of 6 months. Persons with an egg allergy should not be given the intramuscular form of this vaccine.

This medication is an inhaled antiviral medication (neuraminidase inhibitor) that decreases the duration of symptoms. It should be started at the earliest onset of symptoms and has little indication past 2 days.

This medication is an oral antiviral medication (neuraminidase inhibitor) that decreases the duration of symptoms. It should be started at the earliest onset of symptoms and has little indication past 2 days.