Tweet
J Emerg Med. 2017 Feb 15. pii: S0736-4679(16)31138-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.12.013. [Epub ahead of print]
Clinical Mimics: An Emergency Medicine-Focused Review of Influenza Mimics.
Simon E1, Long B1, Koyfman A2.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza viruses are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Given the wide range of symptoms, emergency physicians must maintain a broad differential diagnosis in the evaluation and treatment of patients presenting with influenza-like illnesses.
OBJECTIVE:
This review addresses objective and subjective symptoms commonly associated with influenza and discusses important mimics of influenza viruses, while offering a practical approach to their clinical evaluation and treatment.
DISCUSSION:
Influenza-like symptoms are common in the emergency department (ED), and influenza accounts for > 200,000 hospitalizations annually. The three predominant types are A, B, and C, and these viruses are commonly transmitted through aerosolized viral particles with a wide range of symptoms. The most reliable means of identifying influenza in the ED is rapid antigen detection, although consideration of local prevalence is required. High-risk populations include children younger than 4 years, adults older than 50 years, adults with immunosuppression or chronic comorbidities, pregnancy, obesity, residents of long-term care facilities, and several others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors in these populations. However, up to 70% of patients with these symptoms may have a mimic. These mimics include infectious and noninfectious sources. The emergency physician must be aware of life-threatening mimics and assess for these conditions while beginning resuscitation and treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The wide range of symptoms associated with influenza overlap with several life-threatening conditions. Emergency physicians must be able to rapidly identify patients at risk for complications and those who require immediate resuscitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
KEYWORDS:
influenza; mimic; upper respiratory infection; viral illness; viral syndrome
PMID: 28215397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.12.013
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Clinical Mimics: An Emergency Medicine-Focused Review of Influenza Mimics.
Simon E1, Long B1, Koyfman A2.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza viruses are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Given the wide range of symptoms, emergency physicians must maintain a broad differential diagnosis in the evaluation and treatment of patients presenting with influenza-like illnesses.
OBJECTIVE:
This review addresses objective and subjective symptoms commonly associated with influenza and discusses important mimics of influenza viruses, while offering a practical approach to their clinical evaluation and treatment.
DISCUSSION:
Influenza-like symptoms are common in the emergency department (ED), and influenza accounts for > 200,000 hospitalizations annually. The three predominant types are A, B, and C, and these viruses are commonly transmitted through aerosolized viral particles with a wide range of symptoms. The most reliable means of identifying influenza in the ED is rapid antigen detection, although consideration of local prevalence is required. High-risk populations include children younger than 4 years, adults older than 50 years, adults with immunosuppression or chronic comorbidities, pregnancy, obesity, residents of long-term care facilities, and several others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors in these populations. However, up to 70% of patients with these symptoms may have a mimic. These mimics include infectious and noninfectious sources. The emergency physician must be aware of life-threatening mimics and assess for these conditions while beginning resuscitation and treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The wide range of symptoms associated with influenza overlap with several life-threatening conditions. Emergency physicians must be able to rapidly identify patients at risk for complications and those who require immediate resuscitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
KEYWORDS:
influenza; mimic; upper respiratory infection; viral illness; viral syndrome
PMID: 28215397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.12.013
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]