Influenza Associated Comorbidities

Influenza, one of the most common infectious diseases, is a highly contagious airborne disease that occurs in seasonal epidemics and manifests as an acute febrile illness with variable degrees of systemic symptoms, ranging from mild fatigue to respiratory failure and death. The aim of the study was to highlight the associated comorbidities of influenza. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted during the influenza season 2015-2016 at the Infectious diseases hospital at University Hospital Centre Mother Teresa, in Tirana, Albania. Overall, among the less than65-years and 65-years-and-older age groups, hypertension and diabetes, respectively, were observed with the highest frequency. Heart failure was the second most frequent comorbidity in these two age groups. Prevention of influenza in the elderly is of utmost importance for mitigating its impact on this high-risk population. The main components of prevention are measures that avoid transmission, prophylaxis with antiviral drugs, and vaccination.