Influenza Initial Assessment

Clinical Presentation

Influenza-like illness is an acute respiratory infection manifested as a temperature of ≥37.8°C and cough with an onset within the last 10 days. 

The clinical spectrum of influenza ranges from asymptomatic infection to primary viral pneumonia that may progress to death. Patients presenting with influenza-like illness might be infected with different types of influenza virus (eg avian influenza A[H5N1], A[H7N9]), as well as other respiratory pathogens. A high index of suspicion is needed to recognize influenza in hospitalized patients.