[Prevention and treatment of influenza]

Influenza is a familiar disease responsible for an important morbidity and mortality and a medical over consumption. The management of influenza should be optimized by a wide use of vaccine which is the cornerstone of prevention. Neuraminidase inhibitors are specific antiviral drugs with activity on both typesA and B Influenzavirus. Clinical efficacy has been demonstrated on duration of disease, intensity of symptoms, reduction of complications including those increasing antibiotic use. Moreover, limited studies have demonstrated a positive effect on hospitalizations and mortality risk in some populations. Neuraminidase inhibitors exhibit also a protective effect when administered as prophylaxis (post-exposure prophylaxis, seasonal prophylaxis, or prophylaxis during institution epidemic). For these reasons, neuraminidase inhibitors should not be considered as symptomatic treatment of influenza, but as specific antiviral drugs and play an important role (especially oseltamivir) in the French pandemic plan. Hygienic rules play also a fundamental role for prevention of transmission; neglected for many decades, they have been rehabilitated by the pandemic threat.