INFLUENZA VIRUS PNEUMONITIS: A REPORT OF TEN CASES

Abstract

During epidemics of influenza A2 in 1969 and 1970, ten adults were admitted to Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne, with influenza virus pneumonitis. Their disease was characterized by: (i) an influenzal illness accompanied within three days of onset by dyspnoea and frequently by hæmoptysis; (ii) hyperventilation and marked central cyanosis, often with symptoms of cerebral hypoxia; (iii) clinical and radiological evidence of bilateral diffuse lung disease; (iv) failure to respond to antibiotics given early in the course of the disease; (v) failure of oxygen administration to reduce hypoxia; (vi) peripheral circulatory failure with azotæmia and oliguria. Eight of the ten patients died, and severe interstitial non-bacterial pneumonitis with extensive disruption of respiratory epithelium was demonstrated at autopsy. The problems in the management of patients with this disease are discussed.