Influenza related colitis: a summary on little mentioned colorectal disorder

Abstract

Context : Influenza is an important viral respiratory disease. The disease mainly affects respiratory organ. In severe case, the patient might die. Influenza is still the important problematic infectious disease. The atypical manifestation of influenza is observable in clinical practice. The colorectal presentation of influenza is very interesting. Evidence Acquisition: The authors hereby searched and summarized clinical data from published article in international database regarding colitis in influenza. Results : An important condition is influenza related colitis. Hemorrhagic colitis is a rare but possible clinical complication of influenza. In case with influenza related colitis, the patient might have a lower abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and hematochezia. Severe colonic bleeding might occur and hemostatic therapy is required. On the other hand, the antiviral therapy is also a possible cause of colitis. In a patient with influenza receiving oseltamivir, a possible adverse effect of antiviral drug is hemorrhagic colitis. The problem might be acute. The patient usually has abdominal pain, diarrhea, and hematochezia after the first administration of oseltamivir. In addition to hemorrhagic colitis, ischemic colitis due to influenza is also observable . The patient might require colectomy and this condition might lead to death. Another possible colonic complication due to influenza is colonic apoptosis due to influenza related fulminant hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The patient will have abdominal pain and skin rash. Conclusions: Therefore, it is not impossible that the colonic complication might occur in any patient with influenza. The practitioner should recognize for the possibility that there might be a colorectal manifestation in any patients with influenza.

Keywords

• colitis
• influenza
• colorectal disorders