Seizures or mental changes linked to flu

Doctors should consider seasonal flu or H1N1 flu as a diagnosis for children with flu-like symptoms, seizures or mental status changes, U.S. officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report said for children who have flu-like symptoms accompanied by unexplained seizures or mental status changes, clinicians should consider acute seasonal influenza or novel influenza A H1N1 virus infection as a diagnosis, send specimens for appropriate testing and promptly begin treatment with antiviral drugs, especially in hospitalized patients.

Four children who were hospitalized in Texas with neurological complications of novel influenza A H1N1 virus infection recovered fully and were sent home without any neurological symptoms, but the report highlights the potential for children with novel influenza A H1N1 virus infection to experience neurological complications.

Physicians who are caring for children hospitalized with influenza-like illness and unexplained seizures or mental status changes should consider that the neurological symptoms may be related to influenza.