Telephone Triage of Patients with Influenza

摘要

Influenza is a highly contagious virus spread by respiratory droplets or direct contact with respiratory tract secretions.3 transmission is usually limited to about six days after the onset of symptoms and coincides with the peak of symptoms, namely fever, malaise, cough, sore throat, and body aches.4 Telephone triage and management. Because of the contagious nature and the tendency for patients with influenza to seek medical care during the period of highest infectivity, there are compelling reasons to provide appropriate triage over the phone and, therefore, limit the number of patients presenting for evaluation and management. moreover, highly effective antiviral medications exist,5-9 but their effectiveness is significantly constrained by the need to initiate therapy within the first 36 to 48 hours after symptom onset.10 however, the achievement of early therapy can be obstructed by high caseloads during the epidemic period, thus precluding beneficial intervention.