Please Reply to the following 2 Discussion posts:

 

Requirement

 

APA format with intext citation

Word count minimum of 150 words per post, not including references

 

References at least one high-level scholarly reference per post within the last 5 years in APA format.

Plagiarism free.

Turnitin receipt.

 

DISCUSSION POST # 1 Reply to Jaspreet

Acute gastroenteritis

 

Acute gastroenteritis defined as a diarrhea disease of a rapid onset with or without nausea, vomiting, fever or abdominal plan. In the United States, acute gastroenteritis accounts of 1.5 millions office visits, 200,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths in children each year (Hartman et al., 2019).

Etiology

Gastroenteritis occurs when there is a fecal-oral contact, ingestion of contaminated food or water and is person to person. In the United States the rotavirus and the norovirus is the most common viral agent that causes diarrhea (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). The main risks of gastroenteritis are environmental, seasons and demographical, age and malnutrition (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). Transmission occurs from contaminated foods, liquids, touching contaminated objects and then introducing it to your mouth.

Epidemiology

The children that are most impacted with gastroenteritis are children under the age of 5 in countries like Asia and Africa which account for 80% of the annual incidences. (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020).

Pathophysiology

The organisms which are responsible for this disease are toxins like staphylococcus aureus while others increase leading to dehydration, for example, Salmonella (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). Diarrheal disease is the fifth leading cause of death in children worldwide, accounting for about 2.5 million deaths (Hartman et al., 2019). Cytotoxins like Shigella and Clostridium difficile can invade the more susceptible tissue and cause inflammatory diarrhea (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020).

Clinical Manifestations

The clinical manifestation will be related to the pathogen that is causing the symptoms. If S.aureus is ingested this can lead to a rapid onset of nausea and vomiting within 6 hours of digestion and patients may have fever, cramps, and diarrhea within 8-72 hours  (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). If Clostridium perfringens and bacillus cereus are ingested, diarrhea can occur within 8 to 16 hours of ingestion (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020).

Work-up

A microscopic stool examination and culture can narrow the causative agent, blood mucus or leukocytes may indicate the agent. Culture should be done promptly as possible in children that present leukocytes in the microscopic evaluation and have bloody diarrhea (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). Diagnostic tests also include a complete blood count and a comprehensive metabolic panel.

Non-pharmacological management

Increase fluid intake to manage the symptoms and prevent further dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions should be used for rehydration and should be performed rapidly within 3- 4 hours (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020).  Educate parents on the importance of hand washing and proper storage of food.

Pharmacological management

Overall, treatment and management of children with acute gastroenteritis involved rehydration, oral or IV, diet selection, zinc supplementation and probiotics (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). Antibiotics are only considered in certain situations, but are not recommended.

Education

Educate on the importance of hand washing, cleaning kitchen tops, toilet seats, and door handles. It is important to eat properly prepared and stored foods. Keep breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby or toddler. Introduce soft bland food and avoid foods which are spicy. (Rivera-Domingues et al., 2020). If the patient has started on an antibiotic, adding a probiotic will help in neutralizing natural flora.

 

 

DISCUSSION POST # 2 Reply to Minu

Influenza in children

Children frequently have the flu or the influenza caused by influenza virus. It’s extremely contagious and may make them feel terrible. The flu can result in many children being hospitalized for pneumonia, depending on the strain each year. Ear infections and sinus infections may both result from it.

Etiology and Epidemiology

Viruses that affect the lungs, nose, and throat are what cause the flu. These viruses spread when people with the flu cough, speak, or sneeze, sending virus-laden droplets into the air and perhaps into the mouths of those who aren’t sick. Every year, influenza outbreaks may impact all populations, but children under the age of two and those with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk for consequences. In 20–30% of children, the yearly attack rate is predicted to be 5–10% (Kalil and Thomas, 2019).

Pathophysiology

According to Kalil and Thomas (2019), the primary mechanism of influenza pathophysiology is caused by lung inflammation, compromise caused by viral infection of the respiratory epithelium, and effects of lung inflammation brought on by immune responses used to combat the virus’ spread. From the start of immunization until it peaks, usually about 48 hours, the virus reproduces in upper and lower respiratory pathways.

Clinical Manifestations

Clinical symptoms such as coughs, fever or chills, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, body aches, exhaustion, and in rare cases diarrhea and vomiting are evident in affected patients, most commonly in kids (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

Diagnostics

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or viral culture of throat secretions or nasopharyngeal secretions are the gold standards for confirming influenza infection. Improved sensitivity in identifying influenza virus may be provided by RT-PCR, which might be utilized to boost community monitoring programs and hasten the diagnosis of influenza in unwell individuals. A thorough genetic and antigenic characterization of influenza viruses is possible by viral culture (Kalil and Thomas, 2019).

Nonpharmacological and Pharmacological management

Pediatricians may advise bed rest and fluids as non-pharmacological treatment options for influenza. After the flu has passed, bed rest may be advised, which calls for lying in bed for at least 24 hours, unless leaving the house is necessary for immediate medical attention. Additionally, the patient may be advised to drink fluids throughout the sickness to avoid complications from dehydration.

Oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir are often administered for five days to treat flu (Su et al., 2022). The FDA advises using oral oseltamivir twice daily within two days of the commencement of the disease to treat influenza. It is used orally once each day in doses of 75 mg. Infection brought on by the flu virus can also be prevented and treated with zanamivir. In one and a half days, flu symptoms including fatigue, fever, headaches, coughing, and sore throat subside; it can be taken as 10 mg twice day (Su et al., 2022).

Education 

The patient can be instructed to utilize basic infection control techniques like handwashing and receive an annual flu immunization (also known as a flu shot). Education regarding nutrition would also be useful; for instance, antioxidant- and nutrient-rich broth helps avoid dehydration, chicken soup is good for building strength, and fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C (CDC, 2021).

Follow-up

A crucial component of flu prevention and treatment is follow-up care. The patient is responsible for scheduling, keeping, and calling the care provider for any missed visits.