The Pharmacist and Influenza
Influenza is a major public health menace, infecting 5% to 20% of American residents per year and causing about 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year in the United States. Influenza and pneumonia are the sixth leading cause of U.S. deaths. In those 65 and older, it is the fifth most common cause of death. Thirty percent of nursing home residents who contract influenza will not survive. Some pharmacies have initiated vaccination programs to provide their patients with protection against the virus. It is therefore imperative that pharmacists be informed about the condition and its prevention and treatment.