Title: Influenza Update December 2014<br/>Author: Jon Mark Hirshon<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/96/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<strong>Background:</strong> As discussed previously, influenza (flu) is a common respiratory disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide (see pearl from October 1. 2014). We are now in the midst of the current flu season.</p>
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<strong>Current Update: </strong>This year’s vaccine was only a partial match (<50%) for the current influenza A (H3N2) circulating virus, so there is a significant potential for a “bad” flu season with widespread disease and severe illness. Currently, influenza is now widespread throughout the US, with some states reporting more activity than others. The CDC has a weekly surveillance map that highlights current disease spread.</p>
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<strong>Bottom Line</strong>:</p>
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Remember that influenza annually causes between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths worldwide.</li>
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Your emergency department will likely see many individuals with influenza this year, even if the patient received the vaccination.</li>
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Know your emergency department protocols and policies for cohorting influenza patients and addressing droplet isolation precautions.</li>
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<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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CDC Weekly Influenza Map: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm">http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm</a></p>
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CDC 2014-2015 Flu Season Webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/index.htm</p>
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