Gastric 'flu influenza B causing abdominal symptons in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Influenza B virus causes significant pediatric illness, with detailed symptomatology often underreported.
• Previous studies lacked comprehensive assessment of Influenza B clinical manifestations in hospitalized children.
• Accurate and rapid viral diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management and infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the clinical symptomatology of Influenza B virus infection in hospitalized children.
• To evaluate the reliability and utility of the immunofluorescent method for Influenza B diagnosis.
• To assess the impact of rapid diagnosis on clinical management and hospital cross-infection control.

Main Methods:

• Identification of Influenza B virus in 102 hospitalized children during 1973-1974 epidemics.
• Detailed clinical assessment of symptoms, including abdominal pain, respiratory involvement, convulsions, and myalgia.
• Comparison of immunofluorescence diagnostic technique with standard virus isolation methods.

Main Results:

• Abdominal pain, sometimes severe, was a dominant symptom, particularly in older children.
• Respiratory symptoms were often mild, though lower respiratory tract involvement occurred.
• Immunofluorescence showed 97.5% copositivity with standard isolation, proving reliable for Influenza B diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Influenza B virus infection in children can manifest with prominent abdominal pain, necessitating careful clinical evaluation.
• The immunofluorescent method offers a reliable and rapid diagnostic tool for Influenza B.
• Rapid diagnosis aids clinical decision-making, patient management, and prevention of nosocomial spread.