Pharmacy Tech News CE Lesson
TABLE 1
Cold
Typically caused by rhinovirus
Seasonal flu
H1N1 flu
Caused by influenza virus A or B
Gradual onset of symptoms
Sudden onset of symptoms
Caused by influenza virus A,
type H1N1
Sudden onset of symptoms
Rare, minimal fever (temperature <100°F)
Slight aches and pains
Productive cough usually by day four or five, then changes to nonproductive cough
Stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat
No nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Prevention = good hygienic practices
Often present, sudden-onset fever (temperature >102°F)
Severe aches and pains, fatigue and exhaustion
Nonproductive cough
Sore throat, but stuffy nose and sneezing less often
Unlikely nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Prevention = good hygienic practices and vaccination
Often present, sudden-onset fever (temperature >102°F)
Severe aches and pains, fatigue and exhaustion
Nonproductive cough
Sore throat, but stuffy nose and sneezing less often
Cases reported with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Prevention = good hygienic practices and vaccination
severity, with the common cold symptoms being less severe.
The common cold primarily is caused by rhinoviruses. Symptoms of the common cold can include sore throat, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea (thin watery discharge from the nose), sneezing, cough, chills, headache, malaise (a vague feeling of discomfort), slight muscle aches and pains, and low-grade fever.
Sore throats often are the first symptom that appear with a cold, which then is followed by nasal symptoms and possibly a cough. Colds rarely are associated with a fever above 100°F. Most people do not develop serious complications resulting from colds.
Symptoms of influenza (both seasonal and H1N1) may include more severe aches and pains, fatigue and exhaustion, sore throat, nonproduc-
tive cough, a sudden onset fever that typically is above 102°F and some nasal symptoms. Patients may present with some or all of these symptoms. Without clinical testing, it is very difficult to differentiate between the seasonal and H1N1 flu. However, some patients with H1N1 flu also have experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, where this is not typically seen with the seasonal flu.
Table 1 compares the symptoms of the common cold with the symptoms of the seasonal and H1N1 flu.
prevalence of H1N1 symptoms in patients
As stated earlier, the symptoms of H1N1 flu are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu, although nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported more commonly with H1N1 flu infection than is typical for seasonal flu. A CDC study from
summer 2009 looked at the hospital records of 268 patients hospitalized with H1N1 flu early in the outbreak. Fever (93%) and cough (83%) were the two most reported symptoms. See Table 2 for the prevalence of symptoms in H1N1 patients. 4
Emergency warning signs:
When to refer patients
If a patient presents to the pharmacy with, or calls in and describes, one or more of the emergency warning signs listed below, the pharmacy technician should notify the pharmacist immediately, and the patient should be referred to seek emergency medical care. These emergency warning signs include the following symptoms: 5
In children:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
PharmacyTech News www.cedrugstorenews.com Winter 2009 • 17
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