Guiding clinical management around seasonal influenza

Severe illness and complications due to influenza are most commonly seen in infants, young children, pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and people over 65 years of age. However, any patient can develop severe influenza.

During the influenza season, health care services experience increases in patients with respiratory illness seeking care, and scarce resources – such as critical or intensive care units – may become overwhelmed.

WHO/Europe helps build preparedness and capacity for influenza health care through the provision of guidance and training, a checklist for hospital preparedness, and guidance for the prevention and control of outbreaks in long-term care facilities.