[Morbidity and the economic burden of influenza in children in Israel--a clinical, virologic and economic review].

Background: A survey of winter morbidity revealed a high incidence of childhood influenza. A clinical, virologic and economic survey of childhood influenza morbidity was conducted to characterize this morbidity.

Methods: Incidence of respiratory disease and influenza-like symptoms was determined among 9,300 children in the Tel Aviv area in the 1997-8 influenza season, and viral cultures performed from nasal swabs.