A Study on Factors Associated with Duration of Influenza Virus Shedding in Children

Oh, Seung Rok; Son, Byeong Hee; Lee, Kyun Woo

Abstract

To prevent the spread of influenza among infants and adolescents attending kindergartens and schools, proper quarantining of those who are ill is necessary. In this study, the rapid antigen test (RAT) was performed in patients to investigate the factors affecting the duration of virus shedding. The study included pediatric patients who were diagnosed with influenza by RAT at Daedong Hospital between November 2016 and April 2019. We identified the influenza subtype, age, gender, fever duration, oseltamivir medications, and time gap between fever subsided and RAT examination through chart review. A total of 330 patients were examined at discharge. The average age for RAT positive and negative patients was 6.32 ± 4.26 years and 8.47 ± 4.54 years, respectively. The average duration of fever for the RAT positive patients was 3.84 ± 1.09 days, and for those who were RAT negative was 4.191 ± 1.39. The average number of doses oseltamivir for RAT positive and negative patients was 7.68 ± 1.57 and 8.72 ± 1.37, respectively. The RAT was performed 24 to 48 hours after fever subsided (TG 24-48H group). At this time, 60 patients were positive and the rate of positive expression was 55.56%. Of the TG 48-72H group, 36 patients (26.09%) were positive. Of the TG 72-96H group, 18 patients (21.43%) were positive. Age, fever duration, number of doses oseltamivir and time gap after fever subsided were the factors that influenced the duration of influenza virus shedding. These factors should be considered during the quarantining influenza patients.