Influenza epidemics account for more than 20,000 deaths in the United State
s each year, as well as substantial morbidity, medical costs, and time away
from work and school. Since the 1950s, the principal weapon against these
seasonal epidemics has been killed virus vaccine formulations. Despite mass
ive efforts to immunize at-risk individuals against influenza, not everyone
receives the vaccine. In addition, use of some drugs, such as amantadine a
nd rimantadine, can lead to the development of drug resistant viruses in in
fected individuals and to transmission of these viruses to susceptible indi
viduals. The many factors that contribute to the high annual incidence of i
nfluenza virus infections mandate prompt clinical recognition and appropria
te patient management. Rapid diagnostic tests have been developed that may
make it possible to avoid the use of antibacterial drugs, quickly decide wh
ether isolation of infected patients is needed, and discharge hospitalized
patients sooner.