Each year, the influenza virus attacks over 100 million people around the world.¹ In the United States alone, an estimated 65 million people annually fall victim to the flu and complications such as pneumonia.²

The impact of influenza in the United States is considerable; over 300,000 people hospitalized³, and from 20,000 to 40,000 people killed each year.⁴ Certain groups of people are particularly at risk: the elderly, people with diabetes and weakened immune systems, and people with chronic heart, lung and kidney disease.⁵

Recent data suggests that mortality due to influenza may be increasing in the United States, possibly because of the aging of our population. Throughout history, the flu has been a formidable public health foe, causing yearly epidemics and global pandemics. The most lethal outbreak ever - the 1918 Spanish Flu - claimed 20 to 40 million lives worldwide, more than all the combat deaths on both sides in the First World War.⁶

Effective influenza management has presented a challenge to medical science because the flu virus constantly changes. Surface structures on the virus vary from year to year, requiring revisions to the annual vaccine and requiring an extensive surveillance network to keep up. Although the vaccine is highly effective, some people do not respond well and are not protected. Current antivirals for influenza include amantadine, rimantadine, Tamiflu and Relenza. Tamiflu and Relenza, which are known as selective neuraminidase inhibitors, target the neuraminidase molecule, which is responsible for the release of newly formed viral particles from the influenza virus.

Neuramindase inhibitors were first approved in 1999. Tamiflu is the first selective neuraminidase inhibitor in a pill form for the oral treatment of influenza A and B. Relenza is not available in oral pill form and must be taken via inhalation.

Of course, it's always important to visit your doctor for information about treatment at the first signs of flu symptoms.