A retrospective look at influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim: Influenza is the main cause of acute respiratory disease worldwide and is transmitted via the respiratory secretions of infected individuals. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate influenza, a virus with which we have a longer history, during a period in which the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated current events in terms of viral infections.
 Material and Method: Epidemiological and laboratory data of patients over 18 years of age who tested positive for influenza infection and received inpatient treatment in the Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 according to the influenza management algorithm of the Public Health Institution of Turkey were evaluated retrospectively.
 Results: Of the 164 patients included in our study, 129 were hospitalized due to influenza A and 35 due to influenza B. Procalcitonin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatine kinase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the influenza A group compared to the influenza B group (p=0.002, 0.005, 0.006, 0.030, 0.010, and 0.004, respectively). Ten of the patients in the study died; there was no significant difference in mortality based on influenza subtype or presence of comorbidity (p=0.999 and 0.756, respectively). Forty-one (54.7%) of the patients with comorbidities had received an influenza vaccine.
 Conclusion: Although COVID-19 has dominated the global stage since the pandemic started, the effects of periodic pandemics of our old acquaintance influenza still continue. Vaccination, which is our strongest weapon against pandemics, can reduce mortality in patients with comorbidities, as seen in our study.