Background: Influenza-associated lower respiratory tract hemorrhage (LRTH) has been reported in previous pandemics and is a rare complication of seasonal influenza virus infection. We describe patients with LRTH associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) virus infection identified from April 2009 to April 2010 in the United States.
Methods: We ascertained patients with pH1N1-associated LRTH through state and local surveillance, the Emerging Infections Program, and CDCs Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch. All patients had influenza A, evidence of pneumonia, and evidence of LRTH.
Results: We identified 44 cases; the median number of days from illness onset to clinical signs of LRTH was one. Hemoptysis or respiratory tract bleeding was documented in 40% of pH1N1-associated LRTH cases, often present early during the course of illness. Twenty-one (48%) patients with LRTH had no other hemorrhagic diatheses. Seven (23%) patients with LRTH received antiviral treatment within two days of illness onset.
Conclusions: During influenza season, clinicians should consider influenza infection in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with hemoptysis or other signs or symptoms of LRTH. While the impact of timing of antiviral therapy on this complication has not been studied, the rapid progression of LRTH may support use of early empiric therapy. Continued investigation is necessary to betterdefine the clinical spectrum of both seasonal influenza- and pH1N1-associated LRTH.
Keywords: Hemorrhage; influenza; pH1N1; viral pneumonia.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.