Surveillance, diagnostics, therapy and prophylaxis of viral respiratory tract infections

Infections caused by respiratory tract viruses, especially influenza, occur during every epidemic season, resulting in epidemics and less frequently pandemics, which vary in severity. Consequently, there are various post-influenza complications, as well as deaths and great economic losses. The WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network set up in 1947, aimed at epidemiological and virological monitoring of respiratory tract infections, particularly influenza, and necessitating identification of the pathogen, is effective and has already proved effective many times. Samples taken from the upper respiratory tract should be examined in various ways. Currently, there are many different methods which are essential in diagnostics, including methods used in molecular biology. At present the only antiviral drugs that are active in type A and B viral infections are the neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir, recommended both for treatment and prophylaxis. Vaccination is the cheapest and most effective method to combat influenza.