Vaccination is used for prevention of influenza infections. However, protection is not complete due to a high mutation rate and fast evolution of Influenza. In case of a new pandemic, existing vaccines confer little or no protection. This results in a great need for anti-viral therapies.
Currently, Neuraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu, are the golden standard treatment of influenza infection. M2 proton channel inhibitors represent another class that is used to a lesser extent. New drugs, including Xofluza and Pimodivir, targeting the Polymerase complex, show promising results and it remains to be seen how these compounds stand against the challenge of viral mutations and resistance. The constant evolution of influenza will always call for novel and more effective antiviral therapies to combat reoccurring infections.