Xiang Huo1, Taro Kamigaki2, Satoshi Mimura3, Yoshihiro Takahashi4, Hitoshi Oshitani3. 1. Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; Department of Acute Infectious Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China. 2. Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: kamigakit@med.tohoku.ac.jp. 3. Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. 4. Division of Pediatrics, Odate City General Hospital, Odate, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Influenza remains one of the most important causes of respiratory infection despite the widespread availability of vaccines. Anti-influenza viral agents such as neuraminidase inhibitors are generally efficacious in alleviating the symptoms if they are administered within 2 days of the illness onset. However, few studies have examined the situation of interval between illness onset and medical consultation in influenza outpatients on community level. And the predictors or determinants for longer medical consultation interval have not been well-defined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An enhanced surveillance study was conducted in Odate city of Japan in 2 consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. The late consultation rate (>2 days) and its risk factors were investigated in confirmed influenza outpatients. RESULTS: A proportion of 5.5% of patients visited doctors beyond 2 days of illness onset. Illness onset during non-high-incidence period, infection with influenza B and being adult or elderly were identified as independent risk factors for late consultation and the risk increased with the number of risk factors. CONCLUSION: The consultation behavior for influenza was generally well in our study population. Identified risk factors should be addressed in health education and promotion for the late consultation.
BACKGROUND: Influenza remains one of the most important causes of respiratory infection despite the widespread availability of vaccines. Anti-influenza viral agents such as neuraminidase inhibitors are generally efficacious in alleviating the symptoms if they are administered within 2 days of the illness onset. However, few studies have examined the situation of interval between illness onset and medical consultation in influenza outpatients on community level. And the predictors or determinants for longer medical consultation interval have not been well-defined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An enhanced surveillance study was conducted in Odate city of Japan in 2 consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. The late consultation rate (>2 days) and its risk factors were investigated in confirmed influenza outpatients. RESULTS: A proportion of 5.5% of patients visited doctors beyond 2 days of illness onset. Illness onset during non-high-incidence period, infection with influenza B and being adult or elderly were identified as independent risk factors for late consultation and the risk increased with the number of risk factors. CONCLUSION: The consultation behavior for influenza was generally well in our study population. Identified risk factors should be addressed in health education and promotion for the late consultation.