Interní Med. 2008; 10(9): 388-391

Influenza - always live and novel

doc. MUDr. Roman Chlíbek Ph.D

Fakulta vojenského zdravotnictví Univerzity obrany, Hradec Králové

The influenza is one of the most frequent infectious diseases. Every year can be marked as a year of influenza. Its consequences involve not only affected individuals with health problems, but in social area the population in the whole world. The flue epidemic are known by its explosivity and typical spread. Initially the highest morbidity is among children, especially among young scholars. Mortality of this age group is extremely low. These ill children relatively easily transfer the disease further in population and infect especially their own parents. The elderly part of population is usually the last target group of influenza but it has the highest risk of complications and subsequent death. The influenza is a disease, that in spite of known etiology, clinical picture, its treatment and prevention keep surprising with something new. A gradual adaptation of avian viruses to mammals occured, including humans and first inter-human transfers occurred. The number of resistant viruses to available antiviral medications is increasing, the vaccine against H5N1 virus has not yet been registered and technology for preparation of pandemic vaccine is still under development. The effort to increase of vaccine immunogenity leads to addition of new adjutants to vaccine or to use of new intra-dermal ways of application. Target groups for vaccination, that is in many countries recommended routinely even in children, are broadened. New options in rapid diagnostic of influenza within 30 minutes are available more and more even in offices of primary care physicians with minimal requirements for material equipment.

Keywords: Key words: influenza, rapid diagnostic, antiviral medications, vaccination.

Published: November 1, 2008  Show citation