Die nächste Grippewelle kommt bestimmt

Influenza-associated myositis (IAM) is a benign infection of mostly the calve muscles in preschool or school-aged children (boys:girls 3:1) and occurs following infections of the upper respiratory tract. This painful myositis is self-limiting and heals without complications. We recommend to focus awareness on IAM during seasonal virus infection such as influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) if there are gait disturbances or pain in the lower extremities. A rapid test for influenza (or RSV) and the determination of the serum creatine kinase help to diagnose IAM so that no further arduous examinations for other muscle diseases with hospitalization are necessary. No causal (antiviral) treatment against RSV is known; thus, the authors recommend influenza vaccination in children as a good working preventive tool.