Influenza virus infections in children

This comprehensive update of the epidemiology, transmission, manifestations, treatment, and prevention of influenza virus infection in children reviews important aspects of this infection for the pediatric health-care provider. Influenza is an extremely common epidemic infection that has a major impact in pediatrics, particularly for chronically-ill and hospitalized children. currently-available therapies and vaccines provide a modest opportunity to limit the impact of influenza on these at-risk pediatric populations. However, newer therapeutic agents and vaccine strategies may provide an opportunity in the near future to affect more significantly the influenza-related morbidity and mortality among children and adults.