LESSONS OF INFLUENZA IN LITHUANIA AND GUIDELINES FOR THE FUTURE

Abstract

Influenza is one of the most common and life-threatening of acute
upper respiratory tract infections. During epidemic in Lithuanian cities morbidity reaches 20-50 pct., flu is a severe condition, because sometimes there is no possibilities to avoid/prevent threatening complications and even death. Whereas extent of vaccination in Lithuania is critical low, prevent the painful consequences of influenza in the near future will fail. So society must be widely informed about that. In the article discusses Influenzavirus variability causes, flu epidemics and pandemics influencing factors, epidemiological situation in Lithuania during 2009-2011 period, also mentions/referred about the imminent complications of influenza that effect vital body systems, of prevention and treatment features, and the importance of flu vaccination.