Guidelines
Paediatrics Influenza Management

Paediatrics Influenza Management

Indications for Antiviral Treament

For example:

  • Signs of lower respiratory tract infection
  • Tachypnea
  • Dyspnea
  • Hypoxemia
  • Cardiopulmonary insufficiency
  • Central nervous system impairment
  • Exacerbation of chronic condition

Risk factors:

  • Immunosuppression due to disease or medication
  • Malignancy
  • Asthma or other chronic pulmonary disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Diabetes
  • Hematologic disorder
  • Any neurologic disease affecting management of secretions
  • Age less than 5 years old (especially if less than 2 years old)
  • Resident of a chronic care facility
  • Individuals less than 18 years of age who are on chronic aspirin therapy
  • Morbid obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40kg per m² or 3 z-scores above the mean for age and gender)
  • Aboriginal patients

Patients with mild disease and no risk factors for severe disease other than age

  • Age less than 1 years old: Antivirals not approved but may be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Age 1 to less than 5 years old: For illness of less than 48 hours' duration, antiviral treatment may be considered, but is not routinely required
  • Age greater than or equal to 5 years old: no routine antiviral therapy recommended

When treatment is indicated it should be initiated as rapidly as possible after onset of illness, do not delay initiation of therapy for laboratory confirmation

Antiviral Therapy Generally Not Recommended

  • In children of any age with mild or uncomplicated illness
  • When symptoms have been present for greater than 48 hours

Investigations

  • Chest x-ray
  • Nasopharyngeal swab for influenza
  • CBC
  • Electrolytes (Na, K, Cl)
  • HCO₃
  • Serum creatinine