Unit:
Τομέας Υγείας - Μητέρας - ΠαιδιούLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Dissertation committee:
Α. Κωνσταντόπουλος, Δ. Καφετζής, Μ. Τσολιά (επιβλέπουσα)
Original Title:
Συχνότητα κλινική εικόνα και συνέπειες λοίμωξης από τον ιό της γρίπης σε παιδιά που εξετάζονται στα παιδιατρικά ιατρεία.
Translated title:
Impact of influenza infection in healthy children examined as outpatiens and their families.
Summary:
Backround:Decision regarding the introduction of influenza immunization in
healthy children require an accurate evaluation of influenza disease burden in
the inpatien and outpatien setting as well as the socioeconomic impact of this
infection. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the burden of
virologically confirmed influenza in children examined as outpatiens and their
families
Methods:A total of 1462 patiens with febrile respiratory illness(FRI) were
examined for influenza during two consecutive influenza seasons between
2002-2004.
Results:Influenza infection was documented in 573/1462 (39%) outpatiens with
FRI and accounted for 13,5% of all outpatients visits during the 14 weeks of
the whole season. Acute otitis media was the most common complication(18.5%)and
about 40% of influenza positive patiens received antibiotics. Family members of
inluenza positive children were more likely to develop a secondary respiratory
illness, they required more medical visits and antibiotic prescriptions
compared to influenza negative patients.
Conclusion:The implementation of immunization in children may gratly reduce the
burden of influenza in the comunity.
Keywords:
Influenza, Children, Outpatients, Community
Number of references:
125
