Hong Kong Med J 2009;15(Suppl 6):S35-8
Influenza-like illness in residential care homes: a study of the incidence, aetiological agents, natural history, and health resource utilisation
J Woo, E Hui, PKS Chan, M Ip, DS Hui
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1. Assuming vaccine reduces influenza A infection, it is likely that only a small proportion of influenza-like illness (ILI) can be avoided. Pneumococcal and other viral vaccines should be considered.
2. Influenza-like illness does not equate with influenza. Nursing home–acquired pneumonia might be a better term, and less misleading.
3. Patients with ILI should not automatically be regarded as infectious and quarantined, as many are secondary to Gram-negative infections.
4. Hospital admissions owing to ILI are unlikely to be prevented by outreach health services, surveillance, or influenza vaccination, because frail elderly people with infection have a deteriorating general condition and need oxygen, intravenous drugs, and support from various health professionals. Policies requiring report of death to the police and infection control requirements also encourage hospital admission.
2. Influenza-like illness does not equate with influenza. Nursing home–acquired pneumonia might be a better term, and less misleading.
3. Patients with ILI should not automatically be regarded as infectious and quarantined, as many are secondary to Gram-negative infections.
4. Hospital admissions owing to ILI are unlikely to be prevented by outreach health services, surveillance, or influenza vaccination, because frail elderly people with infection have a deteriorating general condition and need oxygen, intravenous drugs, and support from various health professionals. Policies requiring report of death to the police and infection control requirements also encourage hospital admission.