Diagnosing and Treating Influenza in the Emergency Department: An Evidence-Based Update

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• Influenza classically causes an abrupt onset of fever, cough, myalgia, and malaise. Cough and fever together are more common in patients with influenza than in those with other influenza-like illnesses (64% vs 33%). Fever may be absent in infants and older adults.²⁴ (See Table 2.)
• Children aged <5 years (especially <2 years), adults aged ≥65 years, pregnant patients and those up to 2 weeks postpartum, and patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease, immunosuppression, or residence in a congregate setting are at the highest risk for complications.^3,40-42 (See Table 4.)
• Test when the result will change antiviral or antibiotic therapy, isolation or cohorting, or disposition.^3,44