Symptoms of influenza b
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Symptoms of Influenza B
Common Respiratory Symptoms
Fever and Rhinorrhea
Fever is a prevalent symptom in children with influenza B, with studies showing that up to 88% of hospitalized children exhibit this symptom . Rhinorrhea, or a runny nose, is also commonly observed, affecting approximately 62.6% of pediatric patients .
Cough and Pharyngitis
Cough is another frequent respiratory symptom, reported in about 50% of children with influenza B . Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is less common but still notable, affecting around 13% of cases .
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are also associated with influenza B. Vomiting occurs in about 38% of pediatric cases, while diarrhea is reported in 33% of cases . These symptoms can sometimes be severe enough to require differentiation from other conditions like acute appendicitis .
Abdominal Pain
Severe abdominal pain is a significant symptom, particularly in older children, and can sometimes mimic conditions like acute appendicitis .
Neurological and Muscular Symptoms
Febrile Seizures and Encephalopathy
Neurological symptoms are relatively common in children with influenza B. Febrile seizures are the most frequent, occurring in about 67.9% of cases with neurological involvement . Encephalopathy and encephalitis are less common but more severe, affecting around 7.6% of hospitalized children .
Myositis and Rhabdomyolysis
Muscular symptoms such as myositis, which is inflammation of the muscles, are reported in 17.9% of cases with neurological involvement . Severe cases can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can result in acute respiratory failure and even death .
Severe Complications
Pneumonia and Respiratory Failure
Pneumonia is a severe complication that occurs in about 41% of hospitalized children with influenza B . Respiratory failure, although less common, can be fatal, as evidenced by cases where patients succumbed to overwhelming influenza B infection 36.
Other Severe Illnesses
Other severe illnesses associated with influenza B include post-influenzal bacterial pneumonia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and Reye's syndrome . These conditions highlight the potential for significant morbidity and mortality, even in patients without underlying health issues .
Conclusion
Influenza B presents with a wide range of symptoms, from common respiratory issues like fever and cough to severe complications such as pneumonia and neurological disorders. Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and abdominal pain are also notable, particularly in children. While most cases are mild, the potential for severe complications necessitates vigilant clinical management and timely antiviral treatment.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
[Severe course of influenza B complicated by rhabdomyolysis and acute respiratory failure resulting in death].
Influenza B can cause severe muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis, leading to acute respiratory failure and death in a 51-year-old male.
Comparison of influenza type A and B with COVID‐19: A global systematic review and meta‐analysis on clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings
COVID-19 and influenza have many differences in clinical manifestations and radiographic findings, making timely detection and distinction crucial for effective treatment.
Influenza A and B virus infections in children.
Most pediatric influenza hospitalizations involve previously healthy infants and young children, with laboratory confirmation being crucial due to less characteristic clinical presentations.
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