Influenza

Activity: Medical Care

Activity #1 (5 minutes )

Have students brainstorm common flu symptoms. Write them on the board as they call them out. If necessary, help fill in gaps to complete the list. To save time, you could present them with the following list: (Source: www.cdc.gov)
Fever (usually high) Sore throat
Headache Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches Cough
Tiredness (can be extreme) Diarrhea/vomiting (more common in children)
Have students then brainstorm some ways they are familiar with to treat the flu. Possible answers might include bedrest, cough syrup, fluids, medicine/doctors prescription, chicken soup, etc. A possible discussion here might include the difference between treating the symptoms of the flu and treating the viral infection itself.
Take student generated list on board and, if necessary, help convert any layperson terminology into medical terms. An example would be writing "antipyretics" next to "medicines" and "antiviral medication" next to "doctors prescription". Complete the student-generated list by filling in any gaps with medical care that is not listed. By the end of the activity, the following should be generated:
Antihistamines/Decongestants
Antipyretics/Analgesics
Antiviral medication
Expectorants/cough syrup

Activity #2 (~30 minutes)

The students will then be randomly assigned to 4 groups and each group will be assigned one of the topics from the list above. Their assignment sheet should include the group task instructions and the suggested websites listed below to guide them. Group task:

Use the following websites to research the biological basis for your assigned treatment. For example, how do antihistamines work at the cellular and/or molecular level? Use terminology that includes the circulatory, respiratory and/or immune system.
Write down some common names for your assigned treatment (ex - antipyretics - Tylenol/acetominophen). This is not necessary for fluids/bedrest
Other important information - ex. Side effects, effectiveness of treatment, etc.
Decide on 3-5 main points/notes that will help give a succinct explanation to the class in 2 minutes maximum. You may do one of the following to help you explain
1. Verbal discussion with use of the board
2. 1 - 2 slide PPT projection with explanation and discussion (This helps students who may not feel as comfortable with on-the-spot discussion)

Useful websites to guide students:

Antihistamines and Decongestants

http://health.discovery.com/
(by hitting "next" at the bottom of the page this will take you to other information about the topics)
http://www.medicinenet.com/nasal_allergy_medications
http://medicalcentereast.client.web-health.com/

Antipyretics/Analgesics

http://www.biology.ualberta.ca
http://www.aspirin-foundation.com
http://health.discovery.com/

Antivirals:

Oseltamivir/Tamiflu

http://www.rxlist.com/
http://www.tamiflu.com/hcp/treatment/
http://www.tamiflu.com/hcp/prophylaxis/

Amantadine (Symmetrel) (the first site is on the antiviral activity and other 2 on resistance)

http://health.discovery.com/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/treatment/
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

This is a comprehensive table for flu and cold guidelines and medications and can be used for all groups.

http://www.lungusa.org

Teacher notes:

Guide students as they are doing research on the Internet as it is easy for them to get bogged down with insignificant information. As students are giving their 2 minute discussion, it will be necessary to facilitate discussion and be sure the assignment details were addressed (ie use of biological terms for explanations). Discussion at the end should also include reasons for drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of rest and other possible commonly used treatments. Be sure students address topics such as the suggestion of the CDC to not use the two anti-virals (rimantadine and amantadine) mentioned because of resistance. Good chance to discuss resistance. The efficacy of cough syrups/drops could be discussed as well.