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Trawka Paulina, Wilczyński Michał, Porada Mateusz, Nawrocka Agnieszka, Flegiel Ewelina, Mlicki Paweł, Rymarska Olga, OsiakJoanna, Jabłońska Magdalena, Wszelaki Patrycja, Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia. The impact of influenza on elderly patients. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2019;9(7):303-312. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3337391 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/sedno-webapp/works/918543 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26/01/2017). 1223 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Authors 2019; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 20.06.2019. Revised: 25.06.2019. Accepted: 16.07.2019. The impact of influenza on elderly patients Paulina Trawka1, Michał Wilczyński1, Mateusz Porada1, Agnieszka Nawrocka1, Ewelina Flegiel1, Paweł Mlicki1, Olga Rymarska1, Joanna Osiak1, Magdalena Jabłońska1, Patrycja Wszelaki1, Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Department and Clinic of Geriatrics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz Abstract Background: Influenza is a disease affecting the human respiratory system. A common problem is to confuse colds with influenza, which results in problems with vaccination and complications related to influenza. Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of influenza, as it is a serious health risk if not treated in the elderly. Research conducted by scientists from Taiwan shows that currently the best way to protect against influenza is preventive vaccination. In addition to vaccination, antiviral drugs (Oseltamivir, Zanamivir, Amantadine, Rimantadine), antipyretics (aspirin, paracetamol) are used. Attention is paid to natural methods (ginseng extract, root lichen extract) and supplements (vitamin C, zinc). Material and Methods: This article is based on a review of the current state of knowledge on influenza in the elderly. The most up-to-date literature with EBSCO, Google Scholar and PubMed has been reviewed. Key words such as influenza, influenza complications, vaccinations, influenza treatment. Results: In the context of the above topics, particular attention is paid to the elderly, in whom a low level of immunity predisposes to getting sick. An increase in the incidence of disease causes an increase in the mortality of older people. Complications following the occurrence of influenza are closely related to the type of virus, where the influenza A virus classified as the heaviest in the course. It has been proven that the bird influenza virus is also a threat to humans. The classic symptoms of influenza are cough, fever, while complications associated with untreated influenza are primarily myocarditis or pneumonia. Conclusion: Due to the decline in immunity, older people are particularly at risk of influenza virus. Scientists have demonstrated the high effectiveness of protective vaccination, but one should remember to repeat them every year. Vaccinations in the elderly have reduced effectiveness, which is why antiviral therapies, natural methods and supplements are used. In the rational treatment of influenza, it is noted that natural methods and supplements are an addition to classic antiviral therapy. Key words: influenza in the elderly, complications from influenza, vaccinations, influenza treatment&nbsp