Influenza and its prevention

Simon, Chantal and Lynch, Jeannette (2008) Influenza and its prevention. InnovAiT, 1 (5), 380-386. (doi:10.1093/innovait/inn020).

Abstract

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Most cases in the UK occur in a 6- to 8-week period during the winter. The exact timing of this period, number of people affected and severity of the illness varies from year to year.
There are three types of influenza virus: A, B and C. Influenza A and influenza B are responsible for most clinical illness. Influenza is highly infectious and spreads rapidly, especially in closed communities such as nursing homes. It is passed on through droplet spread, person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated items. It has an incubation period of 1–3 days. The infectious period varies but an infected person can pass on the disease from the day before symptoms appear for a period of 3–5 days.
Influenza activity is monitored in the UK with virological surveillance together with reports of new consultations for influenza-like illness from sentinel GP practices (Fig. 1). During epidemics GP consultation rates rise considerably. The highest recorded consultation rates were for the 1989–90 epidemic when there were 583 consultations per 100 000 population per week in England and Wales and 1184 consultations per 100 000 population per week in Scotland. This compares with a baseline rate of about 5 consultations per 100 000 population per week for the rest of the year.
In winters when incidence is low, it is estimated that influenza is responsible for 3000–4000 deaths across England and Wales. During severe epidemics, like those recorded in 1975–76 and 1989–90, the death rate rises significantly. These two epidemics resulted in an estimated 29 646 and 23 046 deaths, respectively. Serious illness and mortality from influenza is highest among neonates, older people and those with underlying disease, particularly chronic respiratory and cardiac disease, or those who are immunosuppressed.
As influenza is such a major health problem, it is a Government priority to vaccinate high-risk groups to prevent the disease. In England, 75% of those over 65 years of age were given influenza vaccination between October 2005 and January 2006 and prevention of respiratory infection by immunization of at-risk groups with annual influenza vaccination is a major challenge for most practices. This article aims to describe the presentation and treatment of influenza and its prevention in the community.

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