Influenza-like symptoms

Agents which enhance the host s response against neoplasias or force them to differentiate are termed biological response modifiers. Examples include interleukin 2 which is used to treat renal cell carcinoma, interferon a which is active against hematologic neoplasias, and tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) which is a powerful inducer of differentiation in certain leukemia cells by acting on retinoid receptors. Side effects include influenza like symptoms, changes in blood pressure and edema. 

The preicteric phase brings nonspecific influenza-like symptoms consisting of anorexia, nausea, fatigue, and malaise. 

Interferon beta, which is indicated for multiple sclerosis, is administered parenterally only. The most common side-effects are irritation at the injection site and influenza-like symptoms, such as fever, myalgia, chills and malaise. The side-effects tend to decrease with time. 

Tlludronate Dizziness, headache, paresthesia, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, back pain, rales/rhinitis, sinusitis, URI, accidental injury, influenza-like symptoms, pain. 

Adverse reactions from inhalational products may include back or chest pain, bronchitis, cough, changes to COPD exacerbation, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspepsia, dyspnea, epistaxis, Gl distress, headache, influenza-like symptoms, nausea, nervousness, pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection. 

Adverse reactions occurring in 3% or more of patients include the following Dizziness headache insomnia confusion depression anxiety somnolence hallucination tremor aggressive reaction nausea vomiting diarrhea anorexia abdominal pain dyspepsia constipation flatulence accidental trauma fatigue urinary tract infection asthenia malaise rhinitis increased sweating hypertension influenza-like symptoms syncope weight decrease. 

Bacterial infections Serious bacterial infections may begin with influenza-like symptoms or may coexist with or occur as complications during the course of influenza. Zanamivir has not been shown to prevent such complications. 

The most serious adverse reactions were serious infection and neutropenia, particularly when used in combination with TNF-blocking agents. The most common adverse reaction with anakinra is injection site reactions, the majority of which were reported as mild. These typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following reactions Erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. Adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of RA patients include injection site reaction, worsening of RA, infection (eg, upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, influenza-like symptoms, other infections), headache, nausea, diarrhea, sinusitis. 

The uses and adverse effects of raloxifene have been reviewed (8-12). Current work seems to show an altogether positive effect of raloxifene (for example 60 mg/ day) on bone metabolism and serum lipids in post-meno-pausal women on chronic hemodialysis, without significant adverse effects in the short term. However, even the authors of very promising work in this connection point to the difficulty in assessing the long-term safety of the treatment in such women (13). Longer-term work elsewhere has pointed particularly to the occurrence of thromboembolic disease, but also of hot flushes, influenza-like symptoms, peripheral edema, and leg cramps. With the exception of thromboembolism these are unpleasant rather than serious, but they still need to be recorded and studied in this very susceptible group of users. 

Ferley J P, Zmirou D, D Adhemer D, Balducci P. 1989. A controlled evalution of homoeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza-like symptoms. BrJClin pharmacol 27 329-335. 

The therapeutic application of antibodies of non-human origin may cause problems because murine mAbs are recognized by the human immune system as extrinsic substances. In general, the first administration of 100% murine mAbs is well tolerated. However, it can induce the production of specific anti-antibodies by the human body, the so-called human anti-murine antibodies (HAMAs), against the murine mAbs. Repeated administration of 100% murine mAbs may cause an immune response with influenza-like symptoms and even severe states of shock. 

Interferons should be used with caution in patients with severe renal and hepatic impairment, cardiac disorders, diabetes mellitus, coagulation disorders, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders. Interferons produce influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, headache, myalgia, arthralgia). Other side effects include anorexia, weight loss, bone marrow depression, alopecia, and taste alteration. 

Withdrawal symptoms have been reported with sertraline (18). All the symptoms, including gastrointestinal discomfort, insomnia, and influenza-like symptoms, remitted when sertraline was reinstituted. 

Transmission between Influenza-like symptoms Viral culture Oseltamivir and... 

Avian flu Avian influenza A Influenza like symptoms and pneumonia Nonspecific ... 

Iron deficiency may occur, as increased haemato-poiesis outstrips available iron stores, and this can be a cause of inadequate response to the hormone parenteral iron therapy may be needed. Transient influenza-like symptoms may accompany the first i.v. injections. 

Influenza-like symptoms have been attributed to psoralens (33). 

There have been numerous reports of toxic effects caused by the thermal decomposition of poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE. The resulting condition, referred to as polymer fume fever is characterised by its distinctive influenza-like symptoms of chills, body aches, joint pains and profuse sweating. Nausea and vomiting may also be in evidence. A general feeling of... 

Alefacept 15 mg intramuscularly once weekly Pharyngitis, influenza-like symptoms, chills, dizziness, nausea, headache, injection site pain and inflammation, and nonspecific infection opportunistic infections and malignancy are rare... 

Alefacept is well tolerated and its safety profile is equivalent to that of placebo. The most common adverse events are mild and include pharyngitis, influenza-like symptoms, chills, dizziness, nausea, headache, injection site pain and inflammation, and nonspecific infection the frequency of these effects is low. Also, the drug produces no increase in the rate of opportunistic infections or malignancies. Weekly visits to a physician s office for drug administration and CD4 T-cell monitoring are required, and not all patients respond to treatment. 

Zimeldine is an antidepressant drug withdrawn from the market shortly after its introduction in the early 1980s because some patients developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (Dexter, 1984 Fagius et al., 1985). The syndrome was preceded by influenza-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and myalgia, which generally started within 6-17 days after starting zimeldine treatment. The British Department of Health and Social Security reported that 400 out of 100 000 patients displayed similar adverse responses to zimeldine. Four of these patients died, but no causal link was established. 

Items 7-8 An African-American man living on the East Coast was transferred by his employer to California for 6 months. On his return he complains of having influenza-like symptoms with fever and a cough. He also has red, tender nodules on his shins. His physician suspects that these symptoms are due to coccidioidomycosis, contracted during his stay in California. 

Early inhalational anthrax symptoms can be similar to those of much more common intections. However, a runny nose Ls a rare feature of anthrax. This means that a person who has a runny nose along with other common influenza-like symptoms is by far more likely to have the common cold than to have anthrax. 

---