Influenza: Diagnosis and Management in the Emergency Department (Pharmacology CME) is organized by EB Medicine.

Date of Original Release: December 01, 2018.
Date of most recent review: November 15, 2018.
Termination Date: December 01, 2021.
CME Expiration Date: December 31, 2021

Target Audience:
This enduring material is outlined for emergency medicine physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and residents.

CME Credits:
4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 4 ACEP Category I Credits, 4 AAFP Prescribed Credits, 4 AOA Category 2-A or 2-B Credits.

Specialty CME Credits:
Incorporated as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 3 Pharmacology CME credits/

Description:
Patients conferring to the ED with “influenza-like illness” (cough, sore throat, fever) are normal in the fall and winter. How can you identify whether a patient might have influenza and infect others with a potentially dangerous strain? Are the guidelines same in the spring and summer?
• How do the symptoms of influenza vary among adults and children?
• What are the patient groups that are exposed to complications from influenza?
• When does rapid influenza diagnostic testing conquer costs and enhance care, and when is it unnecessary?
• Does the prevalence of influenza in the community affect whether or not you should order testing?
• When is an antiviral medication indicated?
• Which antiviral should be prescribed, and why?
• What about the new antiviral drug on the market, baloxavir marboxil?

Objectives:
At the conclusion of the article, you should be able to:
• Consider the epidemiology and spread of the strains and subtypes of influenza
• Specify when to analyse antiviral drug treatment for influenza based on clinical presentation alone and when more formal testing is indicated
• Record the constituents that place a patient at higher risk for a more critical disease course
• Note the testing modalities possible for influenza diagnosis and their accompanying deficiencies
• Recognize the antiviral agents ready for influenza, their pharmacologic effects, and how to select the best agent for a particular patient in a particular location.