Tag: influenza

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Using Technology to Affect Influenza Vaccine Coverage Among Children With Chronic Respiratory Conditions.

Using Technology to Affect Influenza Vaccine Coverage Among Children With Chronic Respiratory Conditions.

J Pediatr Health Care. 2016 Jul 27;

Authors: Bay SL, Crawford DJ

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Influenza presents additional burdens for children with chronic respiratory conditions. Influenza vaccinations may reduce complications, yet approximately half of children remain unprotected. Evidence supports integration of text and e-mail into multicomponent strategies to increase influenza vaccination rates among children with chronic respiratory conditions.
METHODS: A single text and e-mail message was sent to those with enabled preferences in the patient portal. A follow-up survey assessed aspects of message receipt. Surveys were completed without collection of demographics.
RESULTS: A total of 3,206 messages were successfully delivered. Surveys were initiated by 107 recipients. Frequency analysis showed that text and e-mail messages were preferred forms of communication. A statistically significant relationship was found between receiving a message and receiving an influenza vaccination (p = .027).
DISCUSSION: Text and e-mail messaging are cost effective and well received, and they can be easily integrated into existing systems. These methods are translatable across populations and can convey various types of messages.

PMID: 27475928 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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A systems approach to understanding human rhinovirus and influenza virus infection.

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A systems approach to understanding human rhinovirus and influenza virus infection.

Virology. 2015 Oct 1;486:146-157

Authors: Kim TK, Bheda-Malge A, Lin Y, Sreekrishna K, Adams R, Robinson MK, Bascom CC, Tiesman JP, Isfort RJ, Gelinas R

Abstract
Human rhinovirus and influenza virus infections of the upper airway lead to colds and the flu and can trigger exacerbations of lower airway diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets are still needed to differentiate between the cold and the flu, since the clinical course of influenza can be severe while that of rhinovirus is usually more mild. In our investigation of influenza and rhinovirus infection of human respiratory epithelial cells, we used a systems approach to identify the temporally changing patterns of host gene expression from these viruses. After infection of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) with rhinovirus, influenza virus or co-infection with both viruses, we studied the time-course of host gene expression changes over three days. We modeled host responses to these viral infections with time and documented the qualitative and quantitative differences in innate immune activation and regulation.

PMID: 26437235 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Influenza vaccination in children at high risk of respiratory disease.

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Influenza vaccination in children at high risk of respiratory disease.

Ther Adv Vaccines. 2013 May;1(1):21-31

Authors: Patria MF, Tagliabue C, Longhi B, Esposito S

Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases that can affect the pediatric population and health authorities throughout the world recommend influenza vaccination because of the significant risk of influenza-related complications. However, despite this recommendation, vaccine coverage is generally unsatisfactory. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of influenza on children at high risk of respiratory disease, and the immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in such children. The results show that there is a significant risk of influenza-related complications in preterm neonates and infants, in whom influenza vaccines are immunogenic and safe (although their efficacy has not been specifically studied). There are conflicting data concerning the effect of influenza infection on asthma morbidity in children, and whether or not influenza vaccination helps to prevent asthma exacerbations. Recent data provide no evidence that influenza is more frequent in patients with cystic fibrosis than in healthy subjects, or that it is responsible for increased lower respiratory tract morbidity. The lack of any clear correlate of protection suggests that future studies should also consider the efficacy of the different influenza vaccines and not only evaluate them in terms of immunogenicity. Furthermore, there is a need for clinical studies to assess the effectiveness of the available vaccines in patients with other rare CRDs and other chronic underlying diseases with possibly severe respiratory involvement. It is also important to determine whether children with recurrent respiratory tract infections should be included in the list of those for whom influenza vaccination is recommended. In the meantime, given the increasing evidence of the burden of influenza on the population as a whole and the benefits associated with vaccination, annual influenza vaccinations should be recommended for all children at high risk of respiratory disease and the members of their households.

PMID: 24757513 [PubMed]

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Respiratory syncytial virus and seasonal influenza cause similar illnesses in children with sickle cell disease.

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Respiratory syncytial virus and seasonal influenza cause similar illnesses in children with sickle cell disease.

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 Jan 31;

Authors: Sadreameli SC, Reller ME, Bundy DG, Casella JF, Strouse JJ

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a cause of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in sickle cell disease (SCD), but its clinical course and acute complications have not been well characterized. We compared RSV to seasonal influenza infections in children with SCD.
PROCEDURE: We defined cases as laboratory-confirmed RSV or seasonal influenza infection in inpatients and outpatients <18 years of age with SCD from 1 September 1993 to 30 June 2011. We used Fisher’s exact test to compare proportions, Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare continuous variables, and logistic regression to evaluate associations.
RESULTS: We identified 64 children with RSV and 91 with seasonal influenza. Clinical symptoms, including fever, cough, and rhinorrhea were similar for RSV and influenza, as were complications, including ACS and treatments for SCD. In a multivariable logistic regression model, older age (OR 1.2 per year, 95% CI [1.02-1.5], P?=?0.04), increased white blood cell count at presentation (OR 1.1 per 1,000/?l increase, 95% CI [1.03-1.3], P?=?0.008), and a history of asthma (OR 7, 95% [CI 1.3-37], P?=?0.03) were independently associated with increased risk of ACS in children with RSV. The hospitalization rate for children with SCD and RSV (40 per 1,000 <5 years and 63 per 1,000 <2 years) greatly exceeds the general population (3 in 1,000 <5 years).
CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that RSV infection is often associated with ACS and similar in severity to influenza infection in febrile children with SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;9999:1-4. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID: 24481883 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Effects of Tobacco Products on Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV) Infections in Human Volunteers

Conditions:   Influenza, Human;   Smoking;   Respiratory Tract Infections;   Habits
Intervention:   Biological: LAIV
Sponsors:   University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill;   National Institutes of Health (NIH);   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI);   Food and Drug Administration (FDA);   Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS
Not yet recruiting – verified December 2013

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Influenza vaccination rates increased among patients with asthma – Healio


UPI.com

Influenza vaccination rates increased among patients with asthma
Healio
Influenza vaccination coverage among those with asthma increased to 50% in 2010-2011, up from 36% during the 2005-2006 influenza season, according to the CDC. However, influenza vaccine coverage still lags behind the Healthy People 2020 target of …
Too Few Americans With Asthma Getting Flu ShotsWebMD
Flu shot especially important for those with asthmaUPI.com
CDC Reports on Vaccine Coverage Among Patients with AsthmaMonthly Prescribing Reference
Newsday
all 346 news articles »

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What’s Going Around: Influenza B, asthma, allergies | News 5 | News, Weather … – KHAS-TV

What's Going Around: Influenza B, asthma, allergies | News 5 | News, Weather …
KHAS-TV
She is also seeing patients with allergy induced asthma. Kutilek says if you are coughing day and night or if you are having difficulty breathing you need to be seen by a doctor. She recently hospitalized two children with allergy induced asthma. She …

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Annual All-Cause Healthcare Costs Among Influenza Patients With and Without Influenza-Related Complications : Analysis of a United States Managed Care Database.

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Annual All-Cause Healthcare Costs Among Influenza Patients With and Without Influenza-Related Complications : Analysis of a United States Managed Care Database.

Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2013 Mar 26;

Authors: Karve S, Misurski D, Herrera-Taracena G, Davis KL

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that patients with influenza have a high risk of developing complications such as secondary infections, exacerbation of cardiovascular conditions and asthma. However, limited data exists on the healthcare cost burden for influenza patients with and without influenza-related complications. OBJECTIVE: We compared healthcare utilization and costs among influenza patients with related complications versus patients without complications. METHODS: In this retrospective database analysis (LifeLink database: 1998-2009) of a US managed care database, we selected patients diagnosed with influenza during influenza seasons and categorized them as complicated or uncomplicated based on the presence or absence of a diagnosis for a related complication in the year following their influenza diagnosis. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to compare all-cause utilization and costs (adjusted to 2009 US dollars) between the two groups. RESULTS: We identified 54,469 patients of which ~65 % had evidence for at least one complication. Patients with complicated influenza had a 1.5-fold higher rate of inpatient utilization compared with uncomplicated cases (p < 0.001). Significantly higher covariate-adjusted predicted mean annual costs were also observed among complicated influenza patients across all care (p-values <0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: Healthcare costs were twice as high among influenza patients with complications versus those without, with inpatient and outpatient services being the primary cost drivers. Now with the universal recommendation for seasonal influenza vaccination for all individuals ?6 months of age, improvement in coverage rates may help reduce the healthcare utilization and costs associated with influenza and associated complications.

PMID: 23529713 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Why influenza induces asthma attacks? – Times of India

Why influenza induces asthma attacks?
Times of India
A study has found a previously unknown biological pathway that helps explain why influenza induces asthma attacks in children with the disease. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston studied a mouse model and found that influenza activates a newly …
Winter Season Can Cause Allergy to Asthma PatientsNews Tonight
Study Reveals Possible Association between Asthma and Helper CellsTopNews United States
Less fear of the flu for asthmatics?Discover Magazine (blog)
Scientist –WTMA –Yorkshire Post (press release)
all 37 news articles »

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