Prevalence and clinical manifestations of uncomplicated influenza in children aged 5–15 years at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the prevalence of respiratory tract diseases, with social distancing measures contributing to a decline in infections other than COVID-19. As social distancing protocols have eased, there has been a resurgence of uncomplicated influenza infection, particularly in children.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of uncomplicated influenza among pediatric patients aged 5–15 years attending the outpatient department of Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital.
METHODS: This study collected data from the electronic medical records and was conducted as
a retrospective descriptive analysis among children aged 5–15 years who were diagnosed with influenza (ICD-10: J10.1, J11.1) and received outpatient treatment at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence and patients’ baseline characteristics using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.
RESULTS: A total of 999 participants were included in the study, comprising 588 males (58.9%). The mean age was 9.2 ± 3.1 years. The most common symptom was cough (86.6%), predominantly non-productive cough (73.7%), followed by fever (69.8%) and rhinorrhea (60%). The most common underlying condition was allergy (7%).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Pediatric patients diagnosed with influenza most commonly presented with dry cough, fever, and runny nose. The most frequent underlying condition was allergy. The data collected from this study can serve as baseline information and improving influenza diagnosis for future planning and management of pediatric patients diagnosed with influenza.
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