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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
Clinical similarities between influenza A and B in children: a single-center study, 2017/18 season, Korea
Yu Na Oh1, San Kim1, Young Bae Choi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University Hospital, 776 1-Sunhwan-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Korea.
Insights
Influenza B in children shows similar clinical features and severity to influenza A, contrary to prior beliefs. Both influenza types require equal medical attention and awareness for effective pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Seasonal influenza significantly impacts pediatric medical care globally.
- Influenza B historically received less attention than influenza A due to perceived lower virulence and pandemic potential.
- This study addresses the need to compare clinical features of influenza A and B in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical manifestations and severity of influenza A and B in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate differences in symptom duration, treatment response, and laboratory findings between influenza A and B.
- To inform clinical awareness and management strategies for both influenza types in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients diagnosed with influenza during the 2017/18 season.
- Inclusion of both inpatient and outpatient data from a tertiary referral hospital.
- Collection and review of clinical characteristics, diagnoses, laboratory results, and vaccination histories.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in clinical symptoms or overall severity were observed between influenza A and B.
- Patients with influenza B were older on average than those with influenza A (5.6 vs 4.1 years).
- Platelet counts and neutrophil proportions were higher in influenza A infections, though within normal limits for both.
Conclusions:
- Influenza B exhibits comparable clinical significance and severity to influenza A in children.
- Clinical presentation alone does not differentiate between influenza A and B in pediatric cases.
- Equal awareness and clinical attention are warranted for both influenza A and B in pediatric populations.
Background:
The global burden of seasonal influenza on medical care has been one of the greatest in the pediatric population. The attention drawn to influenza B was relatively low compared to influenza A, probably because the influenza B virus was thought to be less virulent and have a lower pandemic potential. This study aimed to compare the clinical features of influenza A and B in children.
Methods:
This retrospective study included children diagnosed and treated for influenza as inpatients or outpatients during the 2017/18 influenza season at a tertiary referral hospital. Data regarding clinical characteristics, diagnoses, laboratory results, and vaccination histories were collected and reviewed.
Results:
Over the study period, 128 patients with influenza A and 109 patients with influenza B were identified. The mean age of patients with influenza B was significantly higher than that of patients with influenza A (5.6 ± 4.4 vs 4.1 ± 4.4 years, p = 0.010). Fever was the most common manifestation of influenza followed by respiratory symptoms. No single symptom was specifically associated with either type of influenza. The total duration of fever (4.3 ± 2.3 vs 3.7 ± 2.6 days), 'time from fever onset to initiation of antivirals', and 'time from initiation of antivirals to defervescence' were similar between the two influenza types, even though all three time periods tended to be longer for influenza B. The platelet counts and proportions of neutrophils were higher for influenza A than for influenza B infections, although the values were within normal limits for both influenza types.
Conclusions:
We found overall clinical similarities between influenza A and B with no less clinical significance or severity of influenza B compared to those of influenza A. Equal levels of awareness and attention should be paid to both influenza types.
