CC: “I feel awful and ache all over” HPI:
M.M. is a 19 year old female presenting to the clinic today with complaints of malaise, increased somnolence/fatigue, non-productive cough, fever/chills, headache, and generalized myalgia (7/10). Symptoms began yesterday morning, prior to school, and continued to get worse. Patient drank an energy drink around 7pm yesterday and again this morning to increase her energy but was unsuccessful. She took OTC Tylenol last night for other symptoms with no relief. She has been unable to eat because of sore throat and sitting upright makes symptoms worse. Patient has recently (3 days ago) been around an ill family member in the nursing home suspected of having possible bronchitis. She has since been around …show more content…
An antiviral may be prescribed if the diagnosis is made early enough, if the patient is considered part of a vulnerable population, or if the patient resides in a nursing home or hospital-like setting (CDC, 2015). Current recommendations suggest that, for best results, the medication be started with 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), the antiviral of choice, works by thwarting the release of influenza’s viral particles into neighboring cells, thereby shortening the virus’s duration (Lewis et. al, 2011). Additionally, the patient may benefit from Tylenol 500mg q 6hrs as needed for pain and fever, even though she initially reported the medication to be ineffective for symptom …show more content…
In fact, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infections are the most commonly reported influenza complications (CDC, 2015). In healthy populations, influenza usually runs its course in less than two weeks. In populations such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, children, and those with lung disease or other chronic medical issues, influenza can develop into deadly complications, such as pneumonia. Important signs and symptoms to be aware of are related to these complications such as: difficulty breathing, wheezing, tachypnea, worsening fever, worsening myalgias or malaise, chest pain, hemoptysis, dizziness, confusion, and uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. Patients should be educated to seek immediate medical care for possible change in treatment plan should they experience any of these symptoms (CDC,
M.M. is a 19 year old female presenting to the clinic today with complaints of malaise, increased somnolence/fatigue, non-productive cough, fever/chills, headache, and generalized myalgia (7/10). Symptoms began yesterday morning, prior to school, and continued to get worse. Patient drank an energy drink around 7pm yesterday and again this morning to increase her energy but was unsuccessful. She took OTC Tylenol last night for other symptoms with no relief. She has been unable to eat because of sore throat and sitting upright makes symptoms worse. Patient has recently (3 days ago) been around an ill family member in the nursing home suspected of having possible bronchitis. She has since been around …show more content…
An antiviral may be prescribed if the diagnosis is made early enough, if the patient is considered part of a vulnerable population, or if the patient resides in a nursing home or hospital-like setting (CDC, 2015). Current recommendations suggest that, for best results, the medication be started with 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), the antiviral of choice, works by thwarting the release of influenza’s viral particles into neighboring cells, thereby shortening the virus’s duration (Lewis et. al, 2011). Additionally, the patient may benefit from Tylenol 500mg q 6hrs as needed for pain and fever, even though she initially reported the medication to be ineffective for symptom …show more content…
In fact, pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infections are the most commonly reported influenza complications (CDC, 2015). In healthy populations, influenza usually runs its course in less than two weeks. In populations such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, children, and those with lung disease or other chronic medical issues, influenza can develop into deadly complications, such as pneumonia. Important signs and symptoms to be aware of are related to these complications such as: difficulty breathing, wheezing, tachypnea, worsening fever, worsening myalgias or malaise, chest pain, hemoptysis, dizziness, confusion, and uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. Patients should be educated to seek immediate medical care for possible change in treatment plan should they experience any of these symptoms (CDC,