Pulmonary complications of influenza infection: a targeted narrative review

Abstract

Severe influenza infection represents a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Several clinical syndromes that involve a number of organs may be associated with Influenza infection. However, lower respiratory complications remain the most common and serious sequel of influenza infection. These include influenza pneumonia, superinfection with bacteria and fungi, exacerbation of underlying lung disease and ARDS. This review analyzes the available literature on the epidemiology and clinical considerations of these conditions. It also provides an overview of the effects of type of influenza, antiviral therapy, vaccination and other therapies on the outcome of these complications.

The burden of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection in Lebanon between 2008 and 2016: a single tertiary care center experience

“…Several complications have been linked to influenza infection including both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary. Both bacterial and viral pneumonias are established complications of influenza infection and have been reported as an independent risk factor for increased severity and mortality [51][52][53]. Our review showed that radiologically confirmed pneumonia was a risk factor for increased mortality among hospitalized patients (Table 4); however, it was not found to be an independant risk factor for mortality in the multivariable logistic regression (Table S2).…”

Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Mortality in Critically Ill Influenza Adult Patients

“…In total, 102 critically ill patients (97% in medical ICUs and 3% in surgical ICUs) comprising 62 men and 40 women, with a median age of 62 years with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection were assessed. The median time from illness onset to hospital presentation was three days (range, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…Severe complicated influenza has a significantly high mortality and morbidity [8,9]. Secondary bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are some of the common pulmonary complications of influenza, often followed by grave outcomes [10]. In addition to pulmonary complications, extra-pulmonary complications such as meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, and rhabdomyolysis have also been reported to be associated with either influenza A or B [11][12][13].…”

The Burden of Laboratory-confirmed Influenza Infection in Lebanon Between 2008 and 2016: A single tertiary care center experience

“…Both bacterial and viral pneumonias are established complications of influenza infection and have been reported as an independent risk factor for increased severity and mortality. (51)(52)(53) Our review showed that radiologically confirmed pneumonia was a risk factor for increased mortality among hospitalized patients (Table 4); however, it was not found to be an independant risk factor for mortality in the multivariable logistic regression (Table S2). It was the most common complication reported with highest incidence in older age groups > 50 years.…”