Research Information System
Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice, vol.33, no.5, 2025 (ESCI)
Introduction Upper respiratory tract infections rank as the most common infectious diseases worldwide, primarily caused by viral infections. Aim To investigate the clinical and laboratory findings and causative microorganisms detected in patients who were hospitalized with an influenza-like disease in our hospital during the 2017-2018 influenza season. Method The study group included 688 patients with influenza-like illness who attended our clinic and underwent an upper respiratory tract viral panel test. Data on demographics, treatments, and laboratory results were collected from hospital records. Results Viral agents were identified in 335 patients (48.69%). Seventy-four patients (22.09%) had influenza, 115 (34.33%) were infected by respiratory syncytial virus, and 146 (43.58%) by other viral agents. The empirical treatment rate of oseltamivir was higher in patients with influenza than in those infected by other viral agents (P < 0.001). Conclusion In patients admitted with influenza-like illness, starting oseltamivir treatment based on clinical signs, rather than waiting for the causative agent to be determined, appears to be more effective for preventing complications of influenza infection.