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During pregnancy, physiological changes in the immune response make pregnant women more susceptible to serious infection, increasing the risk for the mother as well as the foetus, newborn and infant. All women should be correctly and fully vaccinated as they enter their reproductive years, especially against diseases such as tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, rubella and varicella. In addition to the recommended vaccines, in risk situations, inactivated vaccines could be administered to women who were not correctly vaccinated before, while attenuated vaccines are contraindicated. Despite the fact that vaccination during pregnancy is a very important preventive measure and the existing recommendations from public health authorities, scientific societies and health professionals, the vaccination coverage could clearly be improved, especially against influenza and SARS-CoV-2, so any health professional involved in the care of pregnant women should proactively recommend these vaccines. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), through its Advisory Committee on Vaccines, and the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) recommend vaccination against the following diseases during pregnancy: against influenza and COVID-19, in any trimester of pregnancy and during the postpartum period (up to 6 months post birth) in women not vaccinated during pregnancy; against pertussis, with the Tdap vaccine, between weeks 27 and 36 of gestation (in the CAV-AEP recommendations, preferably between weeks 27 and 28); and against RSV, with RSVPreF, between weeks 24 and 36 of gestation, preferably between weeks 32 and 36., (Copyright © 2024 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The influenza virus has accompanied humans since time immemorial, in the form of annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. It is a respiratory infection with multiple repercussions on people's lives at an individual and social level, as well as representing a significant burden on the health system. This Consensus Document arises from the collaboration of various Spanish scientific societies involved in influenza virus infection. The conclusions drawn are based on the highest quality evidence available in the scientific literature and, failing that, on the opinion of the experts convened. The Consensus Document addresses the clinical, microbiological, therapeutic, and preventive aspects (with respect to the prevention of transmission and in relation to vaccination) of influenza, for both adult and pediatric populations. This Consensus Document aims to help facilitate the clinical, microbiological, and preventive approach to influenza virus infection and, consequently, to reduce its important consequences on the morbidity and mortality of the population., (Copyright © 2023 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Coinfections of influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORVs) are frequent in the epidemic season. The aim of this study was to examine the demographic and virological variables associated with coinfections by influenza and ORVs., Materials and Methods: We analysed respiratory samples of patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza using molecular diagnostic methods obtained in 8 consecutive influenza seasons (2011-2012 to 2018-2019). We analysed data focusing on different variables: age, sex, type of patient (hospitalized/sentinel) and detected type/subtype of influenza., Results: Coinfections of influenza and ORVs were detected in 17.8% of influenza-positive samples. The probability of detecting coinfection was significantly higher in young children (0-4 years; OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.2-3.4), children (5-14 years; OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and patients infected with the A(H3N2) subtype (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.14-1.79). Also, we found a significantly higher frequency of coinfections involving influenza and 2 or more other respiratory viruses in young children (0-4 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.32-0.8), adults (40-64 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) and women (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9)., Discussion: These results show that coinfections of influenza and ORVs are more frequent in young children and children, and in cases involving the A(H3N2) influenza subtype. Our findings can be useful to guide the use of multiplex diagnostic methods in laboratories with limited resources., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Coinfections of influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORVs) are frequent in the epidemic season. The aim of this study was to examine the demographic and virological variables associated with coinfections by influenza and ORVs., Materials and Methods: We analysed respiratory samples of patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza using molecular diagnostic methods obtained in 8 consecutive influenza seasons (2011-2012 to 2018-2019). We analysed data focusing on different variables: age, sex, type of patient (hospitalized/sentinel) and detected type/subtype of influenza., Results: Coinfections of influenza and ORVs were detected in 17.8% of influenza-positive samples. The probability of detecting coinfection was significantly higher in young children (0-4 years; OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 2.2-3.4), children (5-14 years; OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and patients infected with the A(H3N2) subtype (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.14-1.79). Also, we found a significantly higher frequency of coinfections involving influenza and 2 or more other respiratory viruses in young children (0-4 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.32-0.8), adults (40-64 years; OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) and women (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9)., Discussion: These results show that coinfections of influenza and ORVs are more frequent in young children and children, and in cases involving the A(H3N2) influenza subtype. Our findings can be useful to guide the use of multiplex diagnostic methods in laboratories with limited resources., (Copyright © 2021. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Influenza is a generally a benign disease, but occasionally it can cause serious complications. There is controversy about the benefits of antiviral treatment., Objectives: To provide some recommendations on the treatment with oseltamivir in paediatric patients with influenza, based on the best data available and valid in our environment., Methods: The Respiratory Infections Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases carried out a review of the literature. The findings were analysed using the GRADE methodology, and recommendations were made., Results: The systematic use of diagnostic tests for influenza in the outpatient setting, or in the emergency room, in immunocompetent patients with a compatible clinical picture is not recommended. If the aim is to prevent serious events, the use of antivirals is not recommended for the vast majority of healthy and asthmatic patients with influenza or suspected seasonal flu. The systematic use of oseltamivir in patients admitted to hospital with influenza is not recommended. Oseltamivir treatment is recommended in any patients with influenza and pneumonia or severe illness, and critically ill patients, especially during the first 48hours of illness. The treatment of patients with risk factors is recommended, considering their underlying disease. Influenza vaccination, together with basic isolation measures, continue to be the main tool in the prevention of influenza., Conclusion: In some situations, there are sufficient data to issue clear recommendations. In other situations, the data are incomplete, and only allows weak recommendations., (Copyright © 2019 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)