Markers of Disease Severity in Patients with Spanish Influenza in the Japanese Armed Forces, 1919-1920

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Apr;23(4):662-664. doi: 10.3201/eid2304.152097.

Abstract

We examined preserved medical charts of 470 Spanish influenza patients (8 with fatal cases) hospitalized at former army hospitals in Japan during 1919-1920. The following factors were associated with longer periods of hospitalization: adventitious discontinuous lung sounds, maximum respiration rate, continuation of high fever after hospital admission, and diphasic fever.

Keywords: Japan; Spanish influenza; adventitious lung sounds; bacterial pneumonia; disease severity; influenza pandemic; influenza virus; length of hospitalization; pneumonia; respiration rate; respiratory illnesses; respiratory infections; second wave; time course of fever; viral pneumonia; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / history*
  • Influenza, Human / pathology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers