...Mandatory Influenza Vaccinations Review Shumetria Cleveland English 321 Mandatory Influenza Vaccinations Review Introduction Influenza is a highly, contagious virus that affects the respiratory system. It is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets by an infected person coughing or sneezing. Influenza is much more serious than the common cold and is preventable. Good hand washing, covering your cough, and good health habits will prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory diseases. It is onset by chills, fatigue, high fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches are some sign or symptoms of influenza often referred to as the flu. The incubation period is one to four days. Each year, influenza causes a significant increase in illness and death. In the elderly, children, patients with chronic illness and immune compromised disease. Once in a while the influenza changes to a severe disease. In the early 1900 there was a pandemic that killed approximately 20,000,000 people. Scientist later discovered the bacterial that causes the virus by testing the blood. Today physicians are able to keep the bacterial infections under control with antibiotics. In 2009 the swine flu epidemic caused illness, stole lives and flashed a light on health care workers to get mandatory influenza vaccinations. Some institutions, for the first time, implemented policies for mandatory influenza vaccines for health care workers due to the escalation of the swine flu...
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...Influenza in the Elderly Julia Ford, Debbie Garris, Lisa Harper, and Monica Jackson December 20, 2011 Mamie Williams Influenza in the Elderly The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 was responsible for the deaths of more than 50 million people worldwide and is known as a national disaster (CDC, 2011). Even with historical facts about influenza and how easily it is spread, some still refuse to receive the vaccination. Myths and misconceptions about the flu vaccine is the main reason that people refuse to take the flu vaccination. Some of the myths surrounding why people will not take the influenza vaccine include the flu shot can cause the flu, healthy people do not require the influenza vaccine, and the vaccination is a government experiment. Another myth is that working around sick people causes flu immunity. The elderly is one of many populations vulnerable to influenza. Epidemiology as it relates to influenza in the elderly is the topic of discussion for this paper. This paper will make use of the Epidemiological Triangle to explain the disease process of influenza, prevention of the disease, and evaluation of prevention. Definition and Description of Epidemiology Stanhope and Lancanster defines epidemiology as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p...
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...Immunization is a very controversial topic including the issue of mandatory flu vaccination for front-line health care workers. Health care workers are the front-line workers to whom patients are first exposed to during the initial encounter to medical system. Influenza is commonly referred to as the seasonal flu which strikes 5% to 15% of the world’s population with approximately 3 to 5 million severe cases of illness which leads to 250000 to 500000 deaths annually (World Health Organization [WHO], 2014). In addition, hospital acquired influenza has a 16% mortality rate which increases to 60% in high-risk population groups (Cortes-Penfield, 2014). Specifically in Canada, the average rate of influenza infection is 10% to 20% of the population...
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...Running Head: Applying Concepts of epidemiology and Nursing Research Applying Concepts of epidemiology and Nursing Research to Influenza Grand Canyon University NRS-427V Concepts in Community and Public Health This topic of this paper will be about Influenza, it is a highly contagious illness in the respiratory tract that is caused by a virus that currently occurs throughout the world and it usually peaks in December through March. The ‘Flu’ is usually spread by infected people, coughing and sneezing without covering their mouth and nose. It is spread by common, frequent contact, touching another person, for example, just shaking someone’s hand can also transmit the virus. The contagious period for the virus is thought to be twenty four hours before manifestations of symptoms appear and up to seven days thereafter. This information indicates that a person, potentially, could be contagious before they even know that they are sick. (Medical News Today, 2014) Symptoms of the Flu are numerous, fevers, cold sweats, shakes, cough, rhinorrhea, aching body, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms can last roughly for a week, while the effect of exhaustion can last for several weeks until the person can make a full recovery. Those considered high risk for contracting the flu, are those that are immunosuppressed by a chronic disease, medications or treatments, the elderly, infants, the very young, pregnant women, health care professionals and people who...
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...Clinical Situations Position Paper Kelli B. Teems University of West Georgia Professional Nursing Concepts (Nurs 4102) Professor J. Wilder, MSN, NP-C April 7, 2015 Part 4 – Immunity and Health Policy Vaccination has been known to provide immunity to a variety of illnesses, including influenza. To minimize influenza-related deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that vulnerable people and health care workers (HCW) be vaccinated against influenza annually (van den Dool, Bont, Hak, Heijne & Wallinga, 2008). A topic of debate between HCWs and healthcare facilities is the discussion over whether annual influenza shots should be mandatory. Multiple studies have been completed to determine if the benefits are substantial enough...
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...Disease in the News Paper By: University of Phoenix 11/08/2010 HCS/330 The Author on this peer reviewed journal is a committee on infectious diseases. They have one chairperson and twelve committee members. This committee monitors all infectious diseases. They also report on how to prevent and treat such diseases and recommended vaccinations. All committee members are M.D’s with one D.O. This peer reviewed journal is from the American Academy of Pediatrics. This journal is about influenza virus. Focal points on this topic will be age ranges that are at risk, treatments plans, national or global perspective, and scientific evidence to support claims (if any). Influenza is a contagious viral infection. Influenza can inflame the respiratory system. The virus attacks the cells of the respiratory tract and begins to multiply to spread infection throughout the body. Symptoms of influenza are vomiting, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, sore throat, fatigue, fever, chills, body aches, and decrease in urination. Influenza can be dated back to as late as 1918 and has caused many deaths over the years. Influenza is an air born virus which means anyone can catch it just by simply breathing it in. Influenza can be transferred by coughing, sneezing, or direct contact. Incubation time for influenza is 1 to 7 days. The infection can last for a few days for a healthy person. Most cases of influenza are not serious. Most people recuperate after a few days of rest...
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...Epidemiology paper Grand Canyon University 09/13/15 Influenza is a viral type of infection. Most people refer to it as the “flu”. Many also think of it as a stomach flu or cold. Actual influenza is much different. Influenza virus is not a virus that usually causes diarrhea or vomiting. The influenza virus can spread to other individuals up to 6 feet away. People spread droplets in their respiratory secretions through talking, coughing and sneezing. Influenza can also be spread by touching a surface with a droplet on it and then touching your nose or mouth. There are also several types of animals that can carry influenza virus. Influenza takes a few days for individuals to have signs and symptoms. Because of this influenza can be passed to other people before a person know that they are ill. Influenza can be an A or B virus. Each year there can be different types of strains of the virus that come in fall and winter time. Most average healthy people will get better from influenza without difficulties. There are a group of individuals who are more at risk for complications than others. Woman who are pregnant, the elderly, those with immunity problems and the young. When you visit your doctor, urgent care or Emergency Room they can order an influenza test that is just a quick nasal swab. The results can be obtained fairly quickly. In the ER where I work we keep a copy of all influenza A and B results. These are sent to the public health nurse. According to the CDC, “Mortality...
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...Epidemiology Paper Monica Okoro Nur/408 Epidemiology: Global and Public Health September 10, 2012 Diane Campbell, DNP - PHN, FNP - BC Epidemiology Paper Public health nursing allows nurses to encounter various vulnerable populations on a daily basis. In particular, the elderly make up a large portion of the population, and their vulnerability to the environment and other physical factors is a very important aspect of public health nursing. Epidemiology allows the public health nurse to study and assess vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and create interventions that maximize the health potential of all members of the public. This paper will explore the role of epidemiology and also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle and levels of prevention that is related with influenza in the elderly community. Definition and Description of Epidemiology Originally, epidemiology was a term that was used to describe the spread of infectious disease. Over the course of time, that definition has expanded considerably in order to accommodate the complexity of ever-changing populations, their environments, and increasing occurrences of disease. Epidemiology is a branch of public health that studies of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in human populations. It studies the patterns of diseases in human populations and how to control health problems associated with disease...
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...Epidemiology by definition is the study of the distribution and patterns of health-events, health- characteristics and their causes or influences in well-defined populations. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive medicine. Epidemiologists are involved in the design of studies, collection and statistical analysis of data, and interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review).Major areas of epidemiological study include outbreak investigation, disease surveillance and biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects such as in clinical trials. Epidemiologists rely on a number of other scientific disciplines such as biology (to better understand disease processes), biostatistics (to make efficient use of the data and draw appropriate conclusions), and exposure assessment and social science disciplines (to better understand proximate and distal risk factors, and their measurement). I would like to discuss elderly patients as my vulnerable population. There is no set age at which a person maybe under the care of a geriatric physician. The physician aims to promote health by preventing disease and disabilities in geriatric adults. A gerontologist specializes in the aging process. Adult medicine differs from the geriatric patient because the focus is on the elderly...
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...Epidemiology Paper Name: Course: Date: Epidemiology Paper Influenza or simply flu is one of the most devastating communicable diseases. This is because it is transmitted through the air we breathe. This simply means that being in the company of a mammal or bird that is infected is more than good enough reason for one to get infected (Naff, 2011). Influenza is caused by an influenza virus which can be of one of three types. Type A and B results to a high degree of infections. These two types are responsible for severe respiratory infections and in some cases death. Influenza virus type C on the other hand does not lead to severe respiratory infection and only causes minimal respiratory infections with little or no symptoms at all. The influenza virus is capable of modifying itself once in the body of the host. This occurs through mutation whereby vaccinations and treatment develop antibodies that go against the virus. Naff (2011) explains that this causes the virus to adjust for its survival and as a result develop into a new form that the antibodies do not see as harmful. The virus therefore has the capability of infecting a host at any time. However, it is possible for initial antibodies to recognize the mutated virus as a harmful component thereby limiting the degree of infection. In the epidemic involving the H1N1 virus in 2009, very few individuals had antibodies that could fight the virus. The flu has a number of symptoms which...
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...Communicable Disease Paper: Influenza John Doe HCS/457 Professor Monica Vargas September 13, 2015 Communicable Disease Paper: Influenza Malaria, Hepatitis, Polio, Tuberculosis, Pertusus, Ebola, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Influenza. These are just a number of communicable diseases that people are faced with. “Communicable diseases spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person. The spread often happens via airborne viruses or bacteria, but also through blood or other bodily fluid. The terms infectious and contagious are also used to describe communicable disease” (Global Health, 2015). One of the most common known communicable disease is Influenza, commonly known as the flu. According to the American Journal for Microbiology, Influenza can send more than 200,000 people to the hospital a year, while having death as an end result from the flu or from flu-related complications (JVI, 2015). There are various environmental factors that are related to the flu, while having an influence by lifestyles, socioeconomic statuses as well as disease management. From all of this the public health department is trying to not only reduce the threats that are caused by influenza, but the data and evidence-based interventions are a start to a plan in ensuring quality health. Influenza and Efforts to Control it Influenza or the Flu, is a contagious illness that affects the respiratory system. It comes in forms of mild to severe, with the unfortunate ending...
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...Communicable Diseases: Influenza Jena M. Gilbert Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V February 10, 2016 Communicable Diseases: Influenza This paper will discuss the communicable disease process of Influenza or otherwise known as Flu in common terms. Herein will discuss what Influenza is, in what ways Influenza effects the infected and what we as heath care workers can do when dealing with this virus. Influenza otherwise known as the flu is a respiratory illness, contrary to the misconception of the flu being a stomach bug. The flu is caused by a virus and when contracted can show a wide range of symptoms mild to severe and has even been known to cause death. There are three types of Influenza viruses, A, B and C. In humans, influenza A and B viruses are what commonly effects people and is known to cause seasonal epidemics, while Influenza C is generally known to cause much milder respiratory symptoms and not known to become as widespread. Both Influenza A and B have numerous varying strains that cause the Influenza infection. (“Types of Influenza Viruses|Seasonal Influenza(Flu) | CDC,” 2014). Influenza can infect and cause a disease process in any and all age groups. Typically Influenza is more commonly seen at higher rates in children, particularly school aged children. Severe illness and death related to influenza is more commonly seen in ages two and under, sixty five years of age and older or in individuals with primary medical conditions as well as immunocompromised...
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...Child Vaccinations Mandatory Law or Personal Choice By: Courtney Boyd Childhood vaccinations, a personal choice or mandatory law? The anti-vaccine movement created by parent complaints have made many parents and guardians question the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. I will discuss the history of vaccines, how vaccinations work, the effects of not receiving vaccines, the exemptions of states, as well as a guide to the age a child should receive each vaccination and the vaccine required. History of the vaccine Do you know how long it usually takes for a new vaccine to become available to the public? Scientists and researchers spend many years (10-15) in science laboratories during the first stage of this extensive process. Once this process has been completed, the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. F.D.A.) has a series of trials that are conducted on human volunteers. These series are used to test vaccine efficiency, to determine appropriate dosage, and to monitor adverse side effects. That’s not the end though, after these series of tests, the FDA still monitors the vaccine reactions for many years. The first vaccine was not discovered until 1798 by Edward Jenner and was used for vaccination against the smallpox virus. Later on, over a 100 years, Louis Pasteur proved that a disease could be prevented by infecting a person with the weakened germs. Dr. Pasteur used a vaccine on a boy in 1885 to prevent rabies as...
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...Influenza Epidemic Valerie Capobianco, RN Grand Canyon University Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V Mary Nicks MSN, RN August 14, 2014 Influenza Epidemic Studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events, including disease, and the relevance of the study to control the disease along with other health problems is known as epidemiology. (World Health Organization, 2014) This author would like to discuss one of those diseases, that being influenza. Influenza viruses do not discriminate and affect individuals worldwide. This paper will include how the determinants of health contributes to the development of influenza, elements of epidemiologic triangle relate to the transmission of influenza, the role of community health nurses in controlling and preventing the influenza pandemic, and the role played by World Health Organization (WHO) in the global prevention and control of the disease. The influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu, is a contagious mild to severe respiratory illness infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. There are many different types or strains of influenza such as Swine H3N2, Avian H5N1, influenza A H1N1. Just the slightest mutation on the virus’s surface protein can quickly change a strain. This fast acting mutation is one of the reasons influenza viruses infect high numbers of people worldwide, leading to morbidity and mortality burden in communities. (WHO, 2011, pg. 22) When an individual is infected...
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...got vaccinated. It was very painful and I cried. Many people may have an experience like me. However vaccinations help us not to suffer from a certain health problem and lead to an advantageous response to infection. We have had many inoculations decades such as polio, measles, tetanus, diphtheria, etc. As a person of South Korea, I have had many vaccinations. It plays an important role in living healthy. Therefore, I think that all nations should be mandatory vaccinations because it would protect individual and the nation’s health. According to Health Affairs, a journal about healthcare and health policy, a vaccine was attempted for the first time by Edward Jenner who was a doctor from the United Kingdom in 1796. During this time, smallpox spread throughout the UK. Meanwhile Jenner discovered that ranch workers milking cows everyday didn’t catch well the disease. There was a disease, cowpox that is similar to smallpox but a weaker form. When a person contracted cowpox, he or she could endure well than a person who caught smallpox and wasn’t stricken with smallpox anymore. Inspired by this realization Jenner invented the smallpox vaccine after some experiments using cowpox virus. Since then the term ‘vaccine’ began to be used by Louis Pasteur who has been called “microbial father”....
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