Influenza. Past, present, and future.

Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract spread by airborne transmission. Vaccination remains the best strategy for influenza prevention, and is especially recommended for high-risk groups, such as residents of nursing or residential homes, as well as those with diabetes, chronic renal failure, or chronic respiratory conditions. The clinician must realize the importance of active surveillance in addition to symptomatology interpretation and diagnostic testing to reliably and efficiently diagnose influenza.