Global Health
Influenza Vs
pneumonia
Learning objective: Students will learn which is worse on a patient
influenza or pneumonia?
What ages of patient that are effected and how are they
affected by the two?
How can we prevent the spread of influenza and pneumonia
from becoming and epidemic?
How are influenza and pneumonia treated to prevent spreading
to others?
Background summary: The influenza is a highly contagious
virus. It is spread by sneezing or coughing into the air and others breathe it
in. Pneumonia is worse than influenza
because it causes the air sacs to fill with puss and fluids that will block the
oxygen to reach the blood stream.
The influenza is found in children under the age of 5. Children
under 2 are more prevalent and adults’ 65an older and pregnant or medical
issues in women. The influenza is passed by coughing, sneezing or talking as
the virus is expelled into the air. You will see below video on influenza
below.
Pneumonia is found to affect elderly people, children with
underdeveloped immune systems and underlying health issues such as COPD, diabetes
and CVD. Pneumonia is a hidden agent that affects the body. There are 30 different
kinds of agents such as bacteria and viruses. see video below on pneumonia.
prevention of the the influenza and pneumonia differ a good
bit influenza you will find that doctors will only prescribe flu shot or the
flu mist that is done in the nose. Pneumonia is by vaccine also flu vaccine is
pushed due to close relationship of flu and pneumonia.
Treatment for influenza and pneumonia are similar but have
many differences. The information here will tell you what you can use for
treating each one. Influenza is treated pretty much only with Tamiflu and in
forcing patient drinks fluids for hydration. It is a recommendation that Tamiflu
can be used in children under one year of age. Children 2 weeks or older can receive
Tamiflu with symptoms showing within 48 hours of getting sick. Pneumonia can be
treated with antibotics such as Zpac Biaxin, erythromycin doxycycline, cephalosporin
antibotics like cefaclor and Keflex. Penicillians
such as Augmentian, Timentin, and ampicillin.
Activity for students to do so they can learn more about
pneumonia and influenza are attached
during this lesson student should have been able to know the
differents between influenza and pneumonia, how they affect people and how they
are treated.
Students should be able to find the different terms and
things associate to pneumonia and influenza.
A question for students to answer is
What age is Tamiflu recommend for and what is the time
period allowed to receive it?