Influenza: Clinical Challenges in the Twenty-First Century

Influenza has had a significant impact on society and human health and may have had a similar impact in earlier historical times, if post-hoc diagnoses are correct. Significant progress has been made within diagnostics, vaccines, treatment, and infection control practices for influenza, which has resulted in improved control of this virus at both the seasonal epidemic and pandemic levels. Despite advances in knowledge of influenza, it is important that we continue to improve access to healthcare and address disparities between many populations. Poor outcomes occur when people infected with influenza have less access to healthcare or refuse it. With improved understanding of viral evolution, it is also critical for public health agencies to plan for continual future influenza epidemics and pandemics.