Pediatric Influenza Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 15, 2012
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Accurately diagnosing influenza A or B infection based solely on clinical criteria is difficult because of the overlapping symptoms caused by the various viruses associated with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). In addition, several serious viruses, including adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and paramyxoviruses, may initially cause influenzalike symptoms.

Differential Diagnoses

Proceed to Workup
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, Infectious Diseases Society of America, International Immunocompromised Host Society, International Society for Infectious Diseases, Medical Society of the District of Columbia, New York Academy of Sciences, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Ear, Nose and Throat Advances in Children, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Hakan Leblebicioglu, MD  Chairman, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Turkey

Hakan Leblebicioglu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Microbiology and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anthony R Sambol, MA, SM, (NRM), SV(ASCP)  Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Assistant Director of Nebraska Public Health Laboratory; Manager of Special Pathogens/Biosecurity Preparedness Lab for Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Preparedness

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Meera Varman, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Creighton University Medical Center

Meera Varman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: phamaceutical companies Honoraria speaker; phamaceutical companies Grant/research funds clinical trials research

Specialty Editor Board

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Leslie L Barton, MD  Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Leslie L Barton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Pediatric Program Directors, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joseph Domachowske, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Swine influenza virus. Colorized transmission electron micrograph (37,800X) of the A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) virus under plate magnification. Image taken during the virus' first developmental passage through a chicken egg. Courtesy of the CDC/Dr. E. Palmer; R.E. Bates.
Colorized transmission electron micrograph shows avian influenza A/H5N1 viruses (gold) grown in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells (green). Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transmission electron micrograph (original magnification X 150,000) shows ultrastructural details of an avian influenza A/H5N1 virion, a subtype of avian influenza A. Note the stippled appearance of the roughened surface of the proteinaceous coat encasing the virion. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
 
 
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