Respiratory infections are common at all ages but can often be a challenge to differentiate and diagnose. The physician assistant (PA) plays a significant role in the proper diagnosis and management of diverse patient populations with respiratory disease, especially fragile populations that are most at risk, such as children, the elderly, and people with comorbid conditions such as HIV, asthma, and other chronic conditions.
PAs require seasonally updated information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of influenza. Preparation for flu season includes an understanding of epidemiological trends, immunization efforts, and treatment options, particularly the therapeutic and prophylactic value of antivirals. This understanding will also aid in influenza pandemic preparedness in the event of an outbreak.
PAs, therefore, need to keep abreast of the latest information on diagnostic testing and the medical management of influenza. Rapid diagnostic tests for influenza have improved the medical management of respiratory infections by decreasing the need for ancillary tests and antibiotic use. Avoiding superfluous tests and limiting the use of antibiotics to confirmed bacterial infections positively impacts the patient directly and the community indirectly. It reduces the risk of the emergence of bacterial resistance and limits costs significantly. With early diagnosis comes early treatment. This is particularly important because antivirals, which have been shown to reduce the severity, duration, and complications associated with influenza, are most effective when dosed shortly after the onset of symptoms. These same agents have been associated with reduced infection rates in individuals who have had close contact with the infected person, following timely postexposure prophylactic administration.
This activity is targeted for physician assistants.
- Assess early diagnosis of acute respiratory illness as contributing toward antibiotic stewardship
- Recognize complications of untreated viral respiratory infections and discuss their impact on morbidity/mortality
- Discuss the value of antiviral pharmacotherapy and peri-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of acute complications of influenza and flu-like illness
- Evaluate and implement strategies to meet the needs for immunization programs that target vaccine-preventable acute respiratory infections
This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 2 hours of AAPA Category I CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Approval is valid for one year from the issue date of July, 2008. Participants may submit the self-assessment at any time during that period.
This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Enduring Material Programs and for Commercial Support of Enduring Material Programs.
In order to resolve any identified conflicts of interest, disclosure information is provided during the planning process to ensure resolution of any identified conflicts. Disclosures of faculty and commercial relationships, as well as the discussion of unlabeled or unapproved use of any drug, device or procedure by the faculty, is made known below.
Lawrence Herman, PA-C , MPA
- Physician Assistant Herman has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.
Allison McGeer, MSc, MD, FRCPC
- Dr McGeer holds research grants from Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
- She is a member of the Gilead Sciences’ Speakers Bureau and the Sanofi Pasteur Speakers Bureau.
Andrew T. Pavia, MD
- Dr Pavia has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.
- References may be made in Dr Pavia’s presentation to unapproved and/or investigational drugs for influenza.
The employees of Healthmatters Communications have no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report, nor any financial relationships to disclose.
Internet Activity
Windows
- Windows 2000, ME, XP, Vista
- IE 5.0 or later/Netscape 7/Mozilla 1.5/Opera 7/Firefox
- Flash 7 or later
Macintosh
- OS X
- Safari/Mozilla 1.5
- Flash 7 or later
Internet Connection
- Minimum connection of 56Kbps
The content of the presentations of PA Herman, Dr McGeer, and Dr Pavia remains the copyrighted property of the original copyright holders, and is presented in this activity with the express permission of PA Herman, Dr McGeer and Dr Pavia.
