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Updated: May 8, 2026
A Luciferase-fluorescent Reporter Influenza Virus for Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection
Published on: August 14, 2019
[Influenza-like illness. Therapeutic experience in family medicine]
Gerardo Muñoz-Cortés1, Guadalupe Ulises García-Zavala, María Elena Estrada-Andrade
1Unidad de Medicina, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Salvatierra, Guanajuato, Mexico. gerardo_zirahuen@hotmail.com
Background:
influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Surveillance in Mexico is based on the detection of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and antiviral treatment should begin within 48 hours to avoid the main complication, pneumonia. The aim was to describe the experience of treatment of ILI in a family medicine unit.
Methods:
a descriptive study included patients presented to the emergency room with ILI (38°C fever, headache and cough accompanied by other symptoms). We reviewed the reporting formats of Influenza. To follow up, we contacted them by telephone. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation.
Results:
there were 537 patients attended with diagnosis of upper airway infection, 1.3 % met criteria for ILI. 85.7 % were men. The mean age was 18 ± 24.21 years. The patients were seen in a mean time of 19.14 hours after the symptoms have started; 100 % of the patients received treatment with oseltamivir and zanamivir; 14.3 % developed pneumonia. All the patients recovered without concomitant disease or complications.
Conclusions:
The use of a protocol in patients with influenza in a family medicine unit led an early diagnosis and treatment that favored the patients' health restoration.
Insights
Early diagnosis and treatment of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) in a family medicine unit protocol led to favorable patient outcomes, with all patients recovering without complications. This highlights the importance of timely intervention for influenza.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Family Medicine
Context:
- Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness requiring prompt treatment to prevent complications like pneumonia.
- Surveillance in Mexico relies on identifying Influenza-Like Illness (ILI).
- Antiviral treatment for influenza is most effective when initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Purpose:
- To describe the experience of treating Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) within a family medicine unit.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol for ILI management.
Summary:
- A descriptive study analyzed patients presenting with ILI symptoms (fever, cough, headache).
- Out of 537 patients with upper airway infections, 1.3% met ILI criteria; 85.7% were male, with a mean age of 18 years.
- All patients received antiviral treatment (oseltamivir/zanamivir) within a mean of 19.14 hours; 14.3% developed pneumonia, but all recovered fully.
Impact:
- Implementing a protocol for influenza management in family medicine facilitates early diagnosis and treatment.
- Timely intervention positively impacts patient recovery and prevents severe complications.
- This study underscores the value of standardized protocols in managing infectious respiratory diseases in primary care settings.
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