Journal of Infectious Diseases & Preventive Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Prevalence of Influenza Associated with COVID-19 in Children

Venine Prado Saêta, Célia Regina Malveste Ito, Mônica de Oliveira Santos, Lucas Candido Gonçalves Barbosa, José Daniel Gonçalves Vieira, Guilherme Rocha Lino de Souza, Isabela Jubé Wastowski, Melissa Ameloti Gomes Avelino and Lilian Carla Carneiro*

Acute respiratory infections can be triggered by different pathogens, including Myxovirus influenzae. All age groups can be affected by this disease, but some are more susceptible to developing complications, such as children, who can develop Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Therefore, the objective of this study were to investigate the prevalence of the influenza virus and its subtypes, with COVID-19 during the pandemic period and compare it with official case data. Samples were collected from pediatric patients suspected of having a respiratory virus infection between May 2020 and April 2022 in five hospitals, totaling 606 participants, and 59 participants were selected for the study because they had an infection caused by influenza. Together, a static analysis of the Secretary of State's SARS cases was carried out and compared with the study. Data from the secretariat indicate a reduction in Covid-19, starting from week 35. For influenza, the forecast follows the seasonality of 175 epidemiological weeks, with week 32 being the one with the highest predicted quantity. The children participating in the study present numbers proportionally similar to data from the epidemiological weeks, with mortality rate of 3.38%. The data obtained present proportionally similar numbers. Influenza is one of the main etiological agents causing acute respiratory infections in children, but strategies such as vaccination, rational use of antivirals and antibiotics minimize these infections

Published Date: 2024-04-19; Received Date: 2024-03-18