Influenza Guideline for South Africa - Update at a glance

A Guideline for Influenza Management in Adults was published in 1999 by the South African Thoracic Society. 1 A 2008 update to this Guideline incorporated additional information on current viral strains, new treatment recommendations, influenza in children and the management and treatment of the disease in HIV-infected patients. 2 Despite the colloquial use of the term flu for wintertime infections, influenza is a serious infection causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide and resulting in approximately 250,000 to 500,000 deaths per year, in those for whom influenza poses a serious risk. 3 Influenza vaccination is an important public health objective, particularly in persons older than 65 years as this age group has the highest rate of mortality during influenza epidemics. 4 There is evidence of the significant benefits of vaccination, viz. reduction in hospitalisations and mortality due to influenza and heart disease.