Open AccessInfluenza in long‐term care facilities
Author(s) -
Lansbury Louise E.,
Brown Caroline S.,
NguyenVanTam Jonathan S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12464
Subject(s) - infection control , outbreak , medicine , vaccination , long term care , intensive care medicine , population , pandemic , vulnerability (computing) , health care , environmental health , medical emergency , covid-19 , virology , nursing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , computer security , pathology , computer science , economics , economic growth
Long‐term care facility environments and the vulnerability of their residents provide a setting conducive to the rapid spread of influenza virus and other respiratory pathogens. Infections may be introduced by staff, visitors or new or transferred residents, and outbreaks of influenza in such settings can have devastating consequences for individuals, as well as placing extra strain on health services. As the population ages over the coming decades, increased provision of such facilities seems likely. The need for robust infection prevention and control practices will therefore remain of paramount importance if the impact of outbreaks is to be minimised. In this review, we discuss the nature of the problem of influenza in long‐term care facilities, and approaches to preventive and control measures, including vaccination of residents and staff, and the use of antiviral drugs for treatment and prophylaxis, based on currently available evidence.