Influenza is a highly communicable viral infection that is fundamental for the critical outbreaks of respiratory illnesses; it is usually very common in the winter (CDC, 2015). Influenza, unlike the common cold, can cause brutal, life-threatening complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia as well as a severe illness which must require hospitalization. The flu is more dangerous to pregnant women, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander individuals, elderly people and young children.
The cause of influenza
There are three common types of influenza viruses which infect a human being. These include influenza A, B, and C (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016). Influenza A and B are associated with significant outbreaks, and they are usually included in the seasonal influenza vaccines. The disease is spread from person to person through the air by coughing or by direct contact with the virus on the people’s hand or the hard surfaces (CDC, (2014). Influenza differs from the common cold as its symptoms develop quickly and can lead to other complications that include pneumonia and chest infections, especially among young children and elderly people.
Symptoms of flu
The symptoms of flu tend to build up suddenly in about one to three days after infection, and it leads to high fever, chills, tiredness, coughing, headache, sneezing, poor appetite, muscle aches and runny nose (CDC. (2015). Most of the individuals who are affected by flu suffer from mild illness and do recover in less than two weeks. Although, some people may develop long-term health conditions that include sinus and chest infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, blood system, heart and liver complications.
Prevention
Vaccination is the best medical intervention protection against influenza but vaccine ought to be given each year as flu viruses are ever changing (NHS, GOV. UK, 2015). There are varieties of flu vaccine alternatives. The trivalent vaccine is a traditional flu vaccine which is made to safeguard against three different flu viruses. The quadrivalent vaccine is a flu vaccine aiming at protecting an individual against the four different flu viruses. The trivalent flu vaccines are available in various shots. These include: Standard dose trivalent shots which are made by using virus grown in eggs; high-dose trivalent shot which administered to people age 65 years and older; trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture which is recommended for an individual age 18 years and older; and recombinant trivalent shot that is egg-free which is also endorsed for individual with 18 years and older (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016).
On the other hand, quadrivalent flu vaccines exist in three shots that include a quadrivalent flu shot; intradernal quadrivalent shot and quadrvalent nasal spray vaccine (CDC, 2015). A quardrivalent flu shot is made by using virus grown in eggs whereas intradermal quadrivalent shot which is injected into the skin rather than muscle and uses a smaller needle than the usual flu shot; it is endorsed for to individuals of age 18 years and older. Quadrivalent nasal spray vaccines are recommended for persons of age 2 years of the age of 49 years.
The objectives
1. Educate learners on the symptoms and signs of influenza.
2. To teach learners about the importance of vaccines.
3. Inform the correspondents where they can seek help concerning influenza.
4. Reduce the prevalence of disease.
Methods to evaluate
The effectiveness and viability of the intervention can be assessed based on the number of the health practitioners who voluntarily participate in the training and offer education to patients in regards to this illness. Additionally, the program can be evaluated based on the medical records. The medical records can be used to show whether the prevalence of the diseases has reduced or not. The records can also demonstrate the number of patients who have been vaccinated since the commencement of the teaching initiative.
These are some of the questions which can be included in that online training.
• What is a quadrivalent vaccine?
• Why is the vaccine available for adults age 65 and older?
• Who can be vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine?
• What are cell-based flu vaccines?
• What is intradermal flu vaccine?
• Is it safe for one to get the flu shot is she is pregnant?
• Is it a must for one to get a flu shot if he/she received it last year?
• Is it safe for any adult to get a flu shot?
References
CDC. (2014). FAQ: Types of Influenza Vaccine| Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/faq/flu-vaccine-types.htm
CDC. (2015). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine| Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
Commonwealth of Australia. (2016). Immunise - Influenza (Flu). Retrieved from http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/immunise-influenza
NHS, GOV. UK. (2015). Flu vaccine for adults - Vaccinations - NHS Choices. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx
