Predominant Clinical Symptom of Influenza a in Pre-school Children (3-6 Years Old)

Background: Most cases visiting public health centers with Influenza-like Illness (ILI) in 2011 were children infected by Influenza A. Defined clinical symptom in Influenza infection can avoid unnecessary antibiotic therapy in children. Clinical features of ILI associated with influenza infection in children have been studied widely. Unfortunately no typical symptom for preschool children has been identified. The study aim to determine the predominant clinical symptom of Influenza A virus infection among preschool age (3-6 years old) with ILI. Method: Cases age 3-6 years old who met the ILI case definition were included. For the analyses, demographic data (sex), clinical symptom (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and muscle aches) and PCR result obtained from ILI surveillance. Statistical analyses performed using STATA 9 software. Odd Ratio (OR) value were determined using the maximum likelihood method. Clinical symptoms considered dominant when the bivariate test p-value <0.25 and the next dominant factor will be selected as candidates for multivariate modeling along with other dominant factors. Result: There was no significant difference between male and female cases with influenza A. However, male had greater risk. Most children with influenza A reported cough (p=0.346) and runny nose (p=0.798). The best multivariate predictor of influenza A infection in preschool children (3-6 years old) were fever with p=0,001 and muscle aches with p=0,034. Conclusion: The predominant symptoms of influenza A infection among preschool children (3 - 6 years) with ILI were fever and muscle aches. Accurate identification of influenza in children is becoming very important to avoid unnecessary antibiotic therapy in children. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2016;7(2):80-83