Influenza is a disease related to the human respiratory system, with economic and social burden a common cause of Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) among children and the elderly. This study was conducted to estimate cost of illness based on social perspectives of ILI cases.

A prospective study was conducted between February and March 2016 in pharmacies and private clinics at Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai province, Ho Chi Minh City and Hospital of Tropical Diseases. Demographic and clinical information was collected by face-to-face interview. Treatment costs included direct costs (for example, diagnosis, therapeutics) and indirect cost (cost of days lost).

Average costs associated with the ILI were USD88.09 per case among all age groups, direct non-medical costs were more dominant than direct medical costs accounting for 39.5 percent in pharmacies, 71.1 percent in clinics and 64.2 percent in hospitals. Total average cost was estimated to be EUR105 in children, and EUR514 in adults in Germany (1); and in South China, direct medical cost of ILI would be USD22.69 (2).

The cost of ILI was the reason for the economic burden of patients and their families. This study provides the data for the future research, programs and policies which can be applied for influenza or ILI in Vietnam.