Influenza Prophylaxis and Treatment

Each year, influenza causes a significant acute respiratory disease burden. Also, influenza pandemics periodically occur. Annual vaccination is the best tool for influenza prevention, but its effectiveness can vary from year to year. Antiviral treatment shortens the clinical course if administered within the first hours of the onset of the disease. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir) and polymerase inhibitors (baloxavir) are currently used as antivirals. Limited specificity of conventional vaccines and drug resistance of circulating viruses reduce the effectiveness of prophylaxis and treatment, requiring the development of new broadspectrum drugs.

Keywords: Cross-protectivity, Direct-acting antivirals, Drug resistance, Inactivated influenza vaccines, Indirectly acting antivirals, Live attenuated influenza vaccines, Next-generation vaccines, Synthetic vaccines.