Abstract

TORRES DE YON, Yvonne et al. Virus influenza y el diagnóstico diferencial de sintomáticos febriles en la costa norte del Perú (Mayo, 2001). Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.1, pp.12-17. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objective: To identify influenza virus and other etiologic agents related to febrile syndrome in the population of Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad, in May 2001. Material and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study. We include febrile patients that went to sentinel sites presenting with fever above 38°C and a negative thick smear for malaria. We obtained two blood samples with a 15-45 day interval. We recorded associated symptoms and we used serological assays in order to look for antibodies against dengue, influenza, measles and rubella. We also used viral isolation and typing assays. Results: 174 patients had their samples assessed, 58,6% women and the most frequent age-group was 16 years or less (32,2%). Most frequently associated symptoms were: headache (90,1%) and skeletal pain (81,9%). In 89 patients (51,1%) serological paired samples were obtained. 62 patients (69,6%) had positive serology results for dengue, 53 (59,5%) for influenza and one patient (1,1%) for rubella. Conclusions: The differential diagnosis for febrile syndrome in the population of the Peruvian Northern Coast, after ruling out malaria, should also include also other conditions and influenza. An adequate differential diagnosis will allow the patient to have effective and opportune treatment. It is necessary to implement a febrile syndrome surveillance program in order to improve dengue and influenza diagnosis.

Keywords : Fever/etiology; Influenza; Diagnosis Differential; Epidemiologic Surveillance.