Should I Stay or Should I Go Spread of the Flu Case Study With Questions Day 1 I am sitting at my cubical and all I hear is people coughing, sneezing, and blowing their noses. This all started a few days ago and it is getting worse. I am feeling fine but fear for my health! I have an overwhelming desire to run out and buy a hazmat suit. My team has a deadline to meet on a huge project but Im just saying.. Andddd Christmas is only a few weeks away so no one wants to be sick. Ive heard my teacher friends say they work in a giant petri dish, now I know what they mean. Have you ever seen the movie Contagion? Day 2 Sitting at my desk again today listening to the sounds of sickness. The company has provided hand sanitizer for everyones desk and the shot nurse is coming tomorrow to give flu shots to anyone interested. I am still feeling ok; having to work 12-hour days to meet the deadline because others are sick is making me tired. Day 3 Feeling pretty tired today after another 12-hour day and my throat is a little scratchy. I think Ill get that flu shot today. Its now noon and people are dropping like flies with the flu. The project deadline is quickly approaching and the pressure is on to get the job done. The shot nurse shows up and I tell her my throat is sore. She takes my temperature and it is 99.2, no flu shot for me today. Day 4 Woke up this morning with a killer sore throat, running nose, aches all over, and a fever. Oh no, I have been stricken with the flu. I call my doctors office and get in to see the nurse practitioner (NP). I drag myself out of bed, get dressed, and off to the doctor I go. As I walk into the waiting room I see several people wearing a mask (thanks people). I get my own mask and take a seat. Thank goodness my name is finally called and I go back to the treatment room. When the medical assistant takes my vital signs my temperature is 101.00, my symptoms are nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, chills and fever, and aches all over. Patient information; 45 y/o female, with no history of cardiac or respiratory disease, no current meds, all vitals except body temperature within normal range. The NP orders a flu test and CBC. I go down to the lab to have blood drawn and get the flu test done. Have you ever had the flu test, I mean how far up the nose do they put that Q-tip? The NP comes in with the results of the test and yes I have the flu. My CBC results indicate leukopenia. She gave me two prescriptions, tells me to take Tylenol for the fever, stay hydrated, and rest. mountaintopscience 2016 I stop by the pharmacy and pick up my Tamiflu and cough medicine prescriptions. I buy over the counter Mucinex D, Gatorade, soup, and Tylenol to treat all the symptoms. Now the recovery begins as my body fights back the virus using meds and my immune system. None of the medications mentioned in this case study are recommended by the author. They are common medications commonly used. All medications are capable of producing side affects or interactions with other medications taken at the same time. Day 5 Lying on the couch feeling pretty bad, like I think I might be dying. Taking Tylenol every 4 hours to keep the temperature down. I have had nausea and vomiting so I need to drink Gatorade to stay hydrated and keep those electrolytes in check. Should have bought extra boxes of Kleenex, may have to call a friend to drop some off at my door. Maybe I should put a sign on my door that says caution flu victim inside? Day 6 Repeat of day 5. Day 7 I think I will make it, feeling a little better today. Fever is gone and fewer aches but still feeling like Ive been run over by a truck. Day 10 I think I am among the living and think it’s time to go back to work. So, I head back to the office but only last for a few hours. I feel exhausted after about 4 hours at work but am glad to get out of the house. I go to work for the next few days and get stronger every day. Day 14 The flu is a thing of the past for me and I am finally feeling like my healthy self again. I have even been exercising and our team met the deadline so work is better. Now that you have read the case study, answer the following questions. Type your responses directly below each question.
1. Who is at increased risk for complications from the flu?
2. How long does the flu generally last?
3. On Day 2 of this case study, the company provided hand sanitizer to employees. How does this help stop the transmission of the flu? And, how does it NOT stop the transmission of the flu? Think about what you have learned regarding the different ways to transmit a virus.
4. What are some common complications from the flu?
5. If the person in this case study had gotten progressively worse, what would be the reasons she would need to seek emergency medical care?
6. What is the most common antiviral drug used for the flu?
7. The person in this case study had a CBC panel completed. Her results indicated, leukopenia. What does this mean?
8. How did a fever help the person in this case study fight the virus? Offer a brief / general description.
9. The 2023-2024 Preliminary Influenza data (see slides) shows us the incidence of flu-related cases as well as the number of deaths. What was the case fatality rate for this particular flu season? This is described in your Disease Terms Handout. You should end up with a percentage.
For simplicity’s sake take the average numbers of the incidences and deaths. Then, calculate the case fatality rate.
Show your calculation and answer: ______________________________________________________
10. Can you get a flu shot too early? Describe what you learned in class about flu seasons.
Now, describe your biggest takeaway from what you learned about the Orthomyxovirus. Explain your answer (one or two sentences do not show much understanding of your biggest takeaway).
