Prevention and Control of Influenza

Abstract

Unless vigorous measures are used to control influenza in the 1987 to 1988 season, mortality due to this disease may increase because the proportion of elderly persons in the United States is rising, and age and its associated chronic diseases are risk factors for severe influenza illness. Also, the younger populations at high risk for influenza-related complications are increasing for various reasons, including the success of neonatal intensive-care units, better management of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, and better survival rates for organ-transplant recipients. To help control influenza in the upcoming season, information on the influenza strains in the trivalent vaccine is provided, recommendations for vaccination of persons in households with a high-risk person are made, and precautions for the use of amantadine hydrochloride are described.