title: Burden of pediatric influenza A virus infection post swine-flu H1N1 pandemic in Egypt.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To screen children with influenza like illness or with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections for influenza A virus infection - post swine flu pandemic era - using rapid influenza diagnostic tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  During two years (2010 & 2011), 1 200 children with influenza like illness or acute respiratory tract infections (according to World Health Organization criteria) were recruited. Their ages ranged from 2-60 months. Nasopharyngeal aspirates specimens were collected from all children for rapid influenza A diagnostic test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Influenza A virus rapid test was positive in 47.5% of the children; the majority (89.6%) were presented with lower respiratory tract infections. Respiratory rate and temperature were significantly higher among positive rapid influenza test patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Influenza A virus infection is still a major cause of respiratory tract infections in Egyptian children. It should be considered in all cases with cough and febrile episodes and influenza like symptoms even post swine flu pandemic.
authors.affiliation: Influenza Advisory Board, Egyptian Ministry of Health, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khattab
authors.forename: Malak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: Terez
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamel
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Faramay
authors.forename: Safaa Abd
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: El Rahman
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nabil
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gouda
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D058873:Pandemics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology
keywords: Burden; Children; Egypt; Influenza A virus; Influenza like illness