Influenza in the Elderly

INTRODUCTION
Influenza is a very common respiratory illness. It usually occurs in 15-25% of the world’s human population each year.1-3 This illness typically has a low death rate, with average overall mortality rates of 0.1% or less. However, influenza carries much higher rates of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and other vulnerable populations,2-5 and thus it is of special interest to geriatricians and public health physicians.

Influenza epidemics have been well documented since Buonissequi described the “grande influenza” in 1357.6 At least 31 influenza pandemic...