For most individuals, experiencing influenza will be
an uncomfortable nuisance from which they recover
without consequences. For others, experiencing
influenza may lead to hospitalization and/or death.
With influenza’s ever-changing but serious nature, it
is critical for primary care NPs to respect influenza.
Respecting influenza involves promoting influenzavaccination for everyone > 6 months old, especially
those most at risk for complications (Table 1) and
obtaining an early vaccination for yourself. NPs may
be able to increase influenza vaccination rates by
talking with lower-risk individuals about potentially
protecting higher-risk individuals by obtaining an
annual influenza vaccination (ie, the “herd effect”).47
Respecting influenza also involves being aware of
influenza activity in your community and region; this
information is available from the CDC’s “FluView
Interactive” Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
weekly/fluviewinteractive.htm). Primary care NPs
need to be aware of the signs of symptoms of influenza
and to strongly consider the diagnosis of influenza
when patients present with ILIs, especially those
who are most at risk for complications (Table 1 and
Figure). Additionally, respecting influenza involves
recommending early NI treatment in those with
suspected or confirmed influenza who are most at risk
(Tables 1-3). Finally, respecting influenza involves
being cognizant of influenza complications and
recommending additional diagnostic testing and/orinpatient management when symptoms are
particularly severe or progressive.