Children and Influenza

Children and Influenza

Introduction

Epidemiology of Influenza and Children According to to the Centers for Disease Control (n.d.), “Epidemiology is a study of the distribution and determinants of health related states or events in specified populations, and application of this study to the control of health problems” (p.2), and the mission is to have optimal health for an entire community (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). “Determinants of health events are those factors, exposures, characteristics, behaviors, and contexts that determine (or influence) the patterns” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 244). To investigate the epidemiology of influenza on children, an epidemiologist may use an analytic approach of epidemiological investigation, through an organized process of steps which is outlined later in this article. Epidemiological investigations, such as both the descriptive and analytical epidemiological investigations, help to evaluate and guide the development of programs and policies which intend to improve health outcomes of the public (Wilson, 2003)

“Primary prevention involves interventions to reduce the incidence of disease by promoting health and preventing disease processes from developing” (Hilleman, 2002) “Secondary prevention includes programs (such as screening) and designed to detect disease in the early stages, before it signs and symptoms are clinically evident, to intervene with early diagnosis and treatment" (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008, p. 274). “Tertiary prevention provides treatments and other interventions directed toward persons with clinically apparent disease, with the aim of lessening the course of disease, reducing disability, or rehabilitating” (Hilleman, 2002).

The Epidemiological Triangle

An epidemiological triangle is a model used for to determine causation of an infectious disease (Centers for Disease Control, n.d.). An external agent, environment, and susceptible host are the triad components which make up the epidemiologic triangle (Centers for Disease Control, n.d.). Epidemiologists look at influenza in children and can determine each triad component of the epidemiological triangle. An epidemiologist may determine that the external agent is influenza, the environment is the temporal pattern between January and May in the United States, and the susceptible hosts are humans for influenza type B and C, and are humans and animals for influenza A. The concept behind using the epidemiologic triangle is to determine what can break the cycle from continually cycling to restore health for communities (Taubenberger, 2008)

Agent components

In addition to bacteria, viruses, fungi and all sorts of parasites must be included among the etiological agents to physical, chemical, psychological, social and cultural rights. The epidemiological triad is altered to events such as toxic substances entering the body, harmful radiation, wars, labor problems and economic discrimination of any kind, among others (Zambon, 1999).

Host components

Predisposing cause susceptibility to the etiologic agents are the individual's age, socioeconomic status and bad habits like drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, etc. The causes that influence susceptibility to an agent include the health, nutritional status, genetic and psychological makeup.

Environmental components

Environmental factors that influence the agent and the host can be divided into biological (arthropod vectors of pathogens), physical (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure) and socioeconomic (poor housing, overcrowding, ...