From the Guidelines
For the best review articles on influenza, I recommend focusing on publications from the past 5 years in high-impact journals such as The Lancet, Nature Reviews Microbiology, and Annual Review of Virology, as stated in the most recent guidelines 1. When searching for review articles, consider the following key areas:
- Influenza virology and epidemiology
- Clinical manifestations and diagnosis
- Prevention strategies, including vaccination
- Treatment options, both antiviral medications and supportive care Key antiviral medications to be familiar with include:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu): 75 mg twice daily for 5 days
- Zanamivir (Relenza): 10 mg inhaled twice daily for 5 days
- Baloxavir (Xofluza): Single dose of 40-80 mg based on weight, as recommended in the 2021 guidelines 1 Some important considerations for treatment include:
- Oseltamivir dosing for preterm infants, which is lower than for term infants due to immature renal function 1
- Zanamivir administration by inhalation using a proprietary "Diskhaler" device, and its contraindication in people with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 1 When searching, use keywords like "influenza review," "flu update," or "influenza management" along with the current year to find the most up-to-date information, as suggested by the 2021 guidelines 1. Understanding the latest research is crucial as influenza viruses constantly evolve, affecting vaccine efficacy and treatment strategies, as highlighted in the 2021 guidelines 1. Recent reviews often include information on emerging strains, novel therapies, and global surveillance efforts, which are essential for staying current in this rapidly changing field.
From the Research
Review Articles on Influenza
- A review of influenza virus infection was published in the Journal of Medical Virology in 2021 2, which focused on the latest findings in the etiology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of influenza.
- A systematic review on the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in healthcare workers was published in The Journal of Hospital Infection in 2011 3, which found limited evidence suggesting that receiving influenza vaccination reduces laboratory-confirmed influenza infections in healthcare workers.
- A narrative review of influenza as a seasonal and pandemic disease was published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences in 2017 4, which discussed the diagnosis and management of influenza, including the importance of annual vaccinations and early commencement of antiviral treatment.
- A review of influenza management with new therapies was published in Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine in 2020 5, which examined pharmacological and supportive treatment strategies for influenza, including the use of neuraminidase inhibitors and newer agents.
- A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on antivirals for treatment of severe influenza was published in The Lancet in 2024 6, which found that oseltamivir and peramivir might reduce duration of hospitalization compared with standard care or placebo, although the certainty of evidence is low.
Key Findings
- Influenza is a significant burden globally, with nearly 10% of the world's population affected annually 2.
- Influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza infection and its complications 2, 4.
- Antiviral treatment, such as neuraminidase inhibitors, can reduce the duration of hospitalization and alleviate symptoms in patients with severe influenza 5, 6.
- The effectiveness of influenza vaccinations in healthcare workers is limited, and further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness 3.