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IDSA issues practice guidelines for managing seasonal influenza
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The Infectious Diseases Society of America recently issued guidelines regarding influenza diagnosis, antiviral treatment, chemoprophylaxis and outbreak management.
The IDSA guidelines emphasize the importance of quick identification using methods such as real time polymerase chain reaction and diagnostic tests. The guidelines also urge physicians to stay up-to-date with antiviral susceptibility patterns and surveillance data to ensure that optimal medications are used. Finally, the guidelines emphasize the benefits of vaccination.
The CDC currently recommends annual vaccination for about 84% of the population. In addition to children, vaccine recommendations encompass adult and pediatric populations at high risk for influenza. These include:
- Individuals with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders.
- Immunosuppressed individuals.
- Those with a condition that can compromise respiratory function or increase the risk for aspiration.
- Individuals receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
- Residents of chronic care facilities.
- Health care personnel.
- Women who are pregnant during the influenza season.
- Household contacts and caregivers of children aged younger than 5 years, particularly those aged younger than 6 months; adults aged older than 50 years; and people who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.
The policy statement followed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s decision to remove language included in the universal childhood influenza vaccine recommendations, which stated that vaccination take place “if feasible.”
“We expect full implementation of annual vaccination for all children aged 6 months through 18 years,” Anthony Fiore, MD, MPH, CDC liaison to the influenza working group, said during the ACIP meeting.
IDSA’s recommendations are the result of collaboration with the CDC, the AAP, the American College of Physicians, the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and practicing clinicians. The full guidelines are published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. – by Nicole Blazek
For more information:
- Fiore A. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: influenza season. Presented at: CDC ACIP Meeting; Feb. 25-26, 2009; Atlanta.
- Harper SA. Clin Infect Dis J. 2009;48:1003-32.