The Clinical Characteristics of Influenza B Infection during the 2011-2012 Influenza Season.
- Author:
Min Sun KIM
;
Hyun Woo SUNG
;
E Young BAE
;
Seung Beom HAN
;
Dae Chul JEONG
;
Jin Han KANG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Influenza;
Influenza B virus;
Child
- MeSH:
Child;
Cough;
Fever;
Hospitalization;
Humans;
Influenza B virus;
Influenza, Human;
Medical Records;
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction;
Pharyngitis;
Retrospective Studies;
Seasons;
Sputum;
Vomiting
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
2013;20(2):89-97
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This retrospective study was performed to identify the clinical characteristics of influenza B infection and compare to influenza A infection. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed with influenza using a multiplex PCR test, admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, during the 2011-2012 influenza season were analyzed. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of influenza B patients were investigated and compared with those of influenza A patients. RESULTS: A total of 145 influenza patients were enrolled during this study period. Among these, 66 and 78 patients were diagnosed with influenza A and B, respectively, and 1 patient was diagnosed with co-existing influenza A and B. Cough (88.2%), rhinorrhea (77.1%) and sputum (60.4%) were the most common symptoms among these influenza patients, and most were diagnosed with upper respiratory infection (31.9%) or lower respiratory infection (49.3%). In comparison to influenza A patients, influenza B patients were older (4.7+/-4.1 years vs. 3.3+/-2.5 years, P=0.016), and the number of fever days before hospitalization were longer (3.0 days vs. 2.5 days, P=0.043). While sore throat (10.3% vs. 1.5%, P=0.039) and vomiting (20.5% vs. 6.1%, P=0.012) were more common in influenza B patients than in influenza A patients, other clinical and laboratory characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in clinical and laboratory perspectives were manifested in influenza A and B infections. Preventive measures should be emphasized over treatment in influenza B due to prolonged fever duration before admission.
