Influenza in the older adult - Indications for the use of vaccine and antiviral therapy

Each year, the influenza virus is responsible for 20,000 to 40,000 deaths a nd up to 300,000 hospitalizations in the United States. Although children a nd younger adults experience more cases of influenca, older individuals who are infected with the virus experience greater morbidity and mortality. Th e most effective means of influenza prevention for older adults is the infl uenza vaccine. Antivirals are used as adjuvant therapy, but they are not in tended as primary prevention except for at-risk patients who are allergic t o the vaccine. The neuroaminidase inhibitors may cause fewer side effects t han the older antivirals and therefore may be a useful alternative in the t reatment of influenza symptoms in older adults.