IInfluenza is a universal but greatly preventable disease with vast consequences due to its yearly epidemics and sporadic pandemics. Therefore it is important to estimate the theoretical and practical skills of future doctors concerning influenza. The study aims the evaluation of the knowledge level of graduating students of Medicine about influenza before and during the recent A(H1N1) pandemic and intends to indicate any change observed. A total of 224 students attending the last year of Medical School in the beginnings of 2009 and 2010, answered anonymous questionnaires concerning viral and clinical aspects of influenza, sources of information and self-awareness. The two periods’ data were analyzed and compared in order to estimate the role of the pandemic in students’ knowledge level. The students generally seem to have sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge about influenza. Their knowledge level appears somehow affected in 2010, presenting either amelioration or confusion due to the particularities of the pandemic. The media have had an important contribution to the students’ information about influenza during the pandemic. It might be useful the basic medical education to be revised during the whole duration of medical studies, so that future doctors continuously renovate and complete their knowledge by proper sources
