Pediatric Influenza in the Emergency Department: Diagnosis and Management

Points and Pearls Excerpt

• Influenza A is the most common form of the virus affecting children. It is the primary cause of seasonal epidemics and results in the majority of hospitalizations.
• Influenza B infection occurs less frequently but causes epidemics and complications including acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiomyopathy.
• Influenza complications include acute otitis media, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, myocarditis, encephalitis, myositis, and sepsis.
• Most patients no longer have detectable influenza virus when complications develop.