Background: The influenza virus (IV)-associated mortality and morbidity remains high in Europe.
Objective: This article gives an overview of the pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment optimization strategies according to the currently existing guidelines and clinical trials.
Material and methods: Literature search and analysis of national and international guidelines for the epidemiology, diagnostics, treatment and prevention of IV infections.
Results and conclusion: Although the incidence of IV infections remains underrecognized, it is the leading infectious disease-associated cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe. Viruses are mainly transmitted by aerosol inhalation and can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from mild signs of a cold to severe respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. The clinical diagnosis should be verified through a PCR-based test in patients with indications for treatment. Neuraminidase inhibitors are currently the treatment of choice for IV infections. Seasonal influenza vaccination is an efficient preventive method. It is therefore imperative to improve vaccination rates in Germany, which have been continuously declining since the pandemic of 2009/2010.
Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Influenza vaccines, seasonal; Neuraminidase inhibitors; Pneumonia, viral, influenza; Polymerase chain reaction.