Sickle cell disease with complicated influenza B virus infection

The Committee on Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Center for Disease Control for many years have recommended the routine use of influenza vaccine in various hemoglobinopathies including sickle cell disease. This recommendation, however, has not been included in the patient care protocols of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers program of NIHLB. Most clinicians have not used yearly influenza vaccine for their patients with sickle cell disease. This article reports a case of a 5-year-old boy with sickle cell disease who had not received influenza vaccine. He developed pneumonitis and acute myositis during a serologically confirmed influenza B virus infection. The incapacitating and protracted course of his illness presented diagnostic and management problems. His case strongly supports the recommendation of the two infectious disease committees.