New Index of Journal and Influenza Viruses

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (JPID) is indexed in Emerging Sources Citation Index of Web of Sciences since 2015. It is our pleasure to announce that JPID is now indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded. Also, JPID has been accepted for indexation in the Journal Citation Reports and will receive its first Impact Factor in 2018. This would not have been possible without your support: the readers, reviewers, authors, and editorial board members of JPID. On behalf of the editors and the publishers, we thank you all for your continued support as we move into a bright new future for JPID.

During this winter season there were flu epidemics in many countries. Influenza outbreaks have been posing major challenges to public health around the world. It causes high morbidity and mortality during the cold season especially among high-risk groups such as infants, young children, and patients with chronic medical conditions. Worldwide, approximately 1 billion infections, including 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, occur annually. It is estimated that 5 to 10% of adults and 20 to 30% of children are affected each year. CDC researchers reported that influenza-related cumulative hospitalizations rose to 51.4 per 100,000 in this winter and it is the highest rate since CDC began tracking hospitalizations in this particular way in 2010.[1] [2]

Three influenza species are known to infect humans: A, B, and C. Influenza A and B viruses can cause epidemics, while influenza C virus is of limited clinical importance. Type A influenza virus is also associated with epidemics and pandemics owing to high mutation rates and genetic reassortment. Influenza cases usually result in a self-limiting illness in healthy, non-immunosuppressed individuals, but serious complications may occur in the elderly, children, and other risk groups. Influenza viruses are highly contagious and get transmitted by respiratory secretions.[2]

Vaccination against influenza is the primary method of prevention. Vaccines usually contain three different strains (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B), and the exact composition of the vaccine is determined each year by the World Health Organization based on surveillance data. There are two classes of antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza virus infections: adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors. Neuraminidase inhibitors, namely oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir, and intravenous peramivir, are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are recommended for the prophylaxis and treatment of patients infected with influenza A or B virus.[2] [3]

As a result, influenza viruses continue to be a serious threat that can lead to small- or large-scale outbreaks every year and can always be the cause of pandemics after antigenic structural change. For this reason, we should be prepared for such epidemics and pandemics in the coming years. We especially advise the individuals including children to get vaccinated in the risk groups.

• References

• 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. Avaiable at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ . Accessed February 15, 2018.
• 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices—United States, 2017–18. Influenza Season Recommendations and Reports 2017; 66 (02) 1-20
• 3 Taşbent FE, Pekcan S. Influenza: Epidemiology, Laboratory Diagnosis, and Clinics. J Pediatr Infect Dis 2016; 11 (02) 23-27