Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza: an Overview with Pediatric Focus

Influenza is an important cause of respiratory illness in children, who have the highest attack rates during the annual influenza outbreaks [60]. Clinical infection ranges from subclinical illness to complicated disease that affects multiple organs. Annual vaccination remains the most effective strategy for the prevention and control of influenza [2]. Recently developed antiviral drugs offer new approaches to the prevention and treatment of influenza.