NOVEL CORONAVIRUS & INFLUENZA: UPDATE FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Course overview

COVID 19 and Influenza: An Update for Health Professionals is a 4 hour continuing education course for healthcare professionals focusing on the practical aspects of the worldwide emergency associated with the novel 2019 coronavirus. The course addresses the latest published and pre print clinical information on the COVID 19 coronavirus also known as SARS 2, including origins, clinical manifestations of COVID 19, differential diagnosis versus influenza and other respiratory infections, and current management attempts using medications originally developed for HIV, malaria, and influenza, with emphasis on evidence based nursing care and long term care. Dr. Katz will review the effectiveness of vaccines and boosters against various COVID variants. The course discusses identification of risk factors and vulnerable populations, with emphasis on the high rate of lethal pneumonia in older adults and unusual features such as transmission from asymptomatic individuals and extended incubation periods. A special segment provides instruction on proper use of personal protective equipment PPE as well as common mistakes in selection, donning, and doffing of PPE for professionals who may be exposed to novel viruses. Approaches to decontamination and large scale isolation will also be addressed. The seminar is presented by Dr. Nikita B. Katz MD PhD, a recognized expert in emerging threats and the author of Germ Alert, The Virus, and Opioids and Marijuana Managing the Nationwide Emergency continuing education series.