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Acute Respiratory Illnesses (acute + respiratory_illness)
Selected AbstractsThe public health problem of acute respiratory illness in childcareJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3 2001AFCHSE, Helen McCutcheon BA, MRCNA ,,Acute respiratory illness continues to be a significant problem for children attending childcare. ,,The problems for the child are in terms of prevalence, incidence, and quality of life. ,,Additional costs relate to parental absence from work and loss of earnings. ,,This paper reports on the literature, and notes that little research has been undertaken to determine whether there are long-term risks or benefits to experiencing acute respiratory illness in early childhood. ,,Research to date is presented, and the role of public health nurses is discussed in relation to how they might assist in reducing the incidence/prevalence of acute respiratory illness in children attending childcare. [source] Occurrence and management of acute respiratory illnesses in early childhoodJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 3 2007Merci MH Kusel Aim: Acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) impose massive economic burden on health services. The growing costs, limited benefits of pharmacotherapeutic agents, and alarming rise in antibiotic resistance poses a major health challenge. Analysis of the nature and burden of ARI through well-designed epidemiologic studies will help in the development of a uniform public health approach to identify methods to reduce disease transmission and maximise prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyse the nature and magnitude of the burden of ARI encountered by a cohort of children in the first 5 years of life. Methods: This community-based prospective study of ARI followed a cohort of children from birth until 5 years of age. Information on all episodes of ARI encountered, and their management, was collected through daily symptom diary and fortnightly telephone calls. Results: Four episodes of ARI/year were reported in the first 2 years and 2,3 episodes/year between 2 and 5 years. The majority were upper respiratory infections. 53% had at least one lower respiratory infection in the first year. For the majority, symptoms lasted 1,2 weeks. 53% were treated with antitussives or cough mixtures, 44% with paracetamol and 23% with antibiotics. A total of 46% of the episodes presented to a family physician, with younger children and those with lower respiratory infection more likely to seek attention. Conclusion: ARI are common in childhood and although symptoms may last for 4 weeks, the majority resolve spontaneously. Use of medication does not appear to significantly alter the course or duration of symptoms of ARI. [source] The public health problem of acute respiratory illness in childcareJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3 2001AFCHSE, Helen McCutcheon BA, MRCNA ,,Acute respiratory illness continues to be a significant problem for children attending childcare. ,,The problems for the child are in terms of prevalence, incidence, and quality of life. ,,Additional costs relate to parental absence from work and loss of earnings. ,,This paper reports on the literature, and notes that little research has been undertaken to determine whether there are long-term risks or benefits to experiencing acute respiratory illness in early childhood. ,,Research to date is presented, and the role of public health nurses is discussed in relation to how they might assist in reducing the incidence/prevalence of acute respiratory illness in children attending childcare. [source] Occurrence and management of acute respiratory illnesses in early childhoodJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 3 2007Merci MH Kusel Aim: Acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) impose massive economic burden on health services. The growing costs, limited benefits of pharmacotherapeutic agents, and alarming rise in antibiotic resistance poses a major health challenge. Analysis of the nature and burden of ARI through well-designed epidemiologic studies will help in the development of a uniform public health approach to identify methods to reduce disease transmission and maximise prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyse the nature and magnitude of the burden of ARI encountered by a cohort of children in the first 5 years of life. Methods: This community-based prospective study of ARI followed a cohort of children from birth until 5 years of age. Information on all episodes of ARI encountered, and their management, was collected through daily symptom diary and fortnightly telephone calls. Results: Four episodes of ARI/year were reported in the first 2 years and 2,3 episodes/year between 2 and 5 years. The majority were upper respiratory infections. 53% had at least one lower respiratory infection in the first year. For the majority, symptoms lasted 1,2 weeks. 53% were treated with antitussives or cough mixtures, 44% with paracetamol and 23% with antibiotics. A total of 46% of the episodes presented to a family physician, with younger children and those with lower respiratory infection more likely to seek attention. Conclusion: ARI are common in childhood and although symptoms may last for 4 weeks, the majority resolve spontaneously. Use of medication does not appear to significantly alter the course or duration of symptoms of ARI. [source] Human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections in older children with cystic fibrosisPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Daniel F. Garcia MD Abstract Background: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been isolated from children with acute respiratory infection worldwide. Its epidemiology remains to be defined in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We describe the epidemiology and clinical impact of hMPV in CF children and compared it to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods: CF children ages 7,18 years were studied prospectively during the 1998,1999 RSV season. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected during acute respiratory illnesses and tested for respiratory viruses. Blood specimens were drawn early, mid, and end of the RSV season, and tested for serological evidence of hMPV and RSV infections. Rates of lower respiratory tract illnesses (LRTI) and hospitalizations for pulmonary exacerbations were compared during the time intervals they developed serological evidence of infection to their non-infection intervals. Results: Six of 44 CF children had a virus positive respiratory illness in 56 LTRI events and 18 hospitalizations. Serological evidence of hMPV and RSV infections occurred in 16 and 20 CF children, respectively; 8 had infections with both viruses. A greater proportion of CF children had ,1 LRTI during their infection intervals compared to their non-infection intervals (13/25 vs. 5/25; P,=,0.03). A trend for higher rates of LRTI was observed in the infection intervals compared to non-infection intervals (9.5,±,11.0 vs. 4.2,±,9.9 per 1,000 child-days; P,=,0.06), and it was significantly greater with a more conservative estimate (one event per child per interval; 7.4,±,7.7 vs. 2.6,±,5.4 per 1,000 child-days; P,,0.01). No differences in hospitalizations rates were detected. Conclusion: The infection rates and clinical impact observed for hMPV were comparable to that for RSV in CF children 7,18 years of age. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:66,74. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cluster of presumed organic dust toxic syndrome cases among urban landscape workers,Colorado, 2007,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 7 2009Tegan K. Boehmer PhD Abstract Background Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) is an influenza-like illness typically affecting agricultural workers exposed to organic dusts. In July 2007, Tri-County Health Department investigated a cluster of acute respiratory illnesses among urban landscape workers with known mulch exposure. Methods An epidemiologic study of landscape workers was conducted. Employees were interviewed regarding illness and occupational exposures. Medical records were reviewed. Mulch samples were tested for fungi and endotoxins. Results Five (12%) of 43 employees experienced respiratory illness compatible with ODTS. Illness was associated with prolonged mulch exposure (,6 vs. <6 hr/day; relative risk,=,24.7; 95% confidence interval,=,3.3,184.9). Mulch samples contained high levels of Aspergillus spores and endotoxin. Conclusions Contaminated mulch was implicated as the source of presumed ODTS among landscape workers, highlighting that ODTS is not limited to rural agricultural settings. Education of employers, safety officers, and clinicians is necessary to improve recognition and prevention of ODTS within urban occupational groups. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:534,538, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] |