Popular Image Of Flu Not Proportional To The Actual Threat

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 11 Oct 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The powerful image of influenza depicted by the media is not proportional to the actual threat, says a researcher in an editorial published in BMJ Clinical Evidence this week.

Dr Tom Jefferson examines the evidence and argues that seasonal influenza is in fact a relatively rare condition (around 0.5% in the general population during autumn and winter months).

He suggests that a systematic failure to distinguish between influenza (a disease) and influenza-like illness (a syndrome sometimes caused by influenza viruses) has masked the rarity of the disease and has led to the "monster at your door" fame of influenza.

He also says that, given its relative rarity, vaccines may not be the most effective way to prevent either influenza or influenza-like illness.

The evidence presented here points to influenza being a rare cause of influenza-like illness and a relatively rare disease. It follows that vaccines may not be appropriate preventive interventions for either influenza or influenza-like illness, he concludes.

Source
British Medical Journal

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