Prevention and Treatment of Influenza

ABSTRACT

Influenza is a disease known to continue to afflict a large number f people and cause many deaths throughout the world. Influenza A and B are the two types of influenza that cause epidemic human disease. The influenza illness is characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, myalgia, headache, and sore throat. Amantadine and rimantadine have been used to treatment and prophylaxis of influenza, but these agents can only reduce symptomatic illness due to influenza A virus and are ineffective against influenza B virus. Inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase constitute a new class of anti-influenza agents that reduce replication of influenza A and influenza B. Vaccination against influenza virus is the primary strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza.