Serious acute respiratory syndrome: a case series in a municipality region of central Brazil

Abstract

The influenza B virus is more stable than influenza A, with less antigenic drift and consequent immunologic stability, and does not undergo the process of antigenic shift, its participation in epidemics is minimal, being of lesser academic interest. The aim of this work was to describe the occurrence of a series of SARS cases in a municipality in the Central region of Brazil. This is a case series study with a descriptive and quantitative approach of Serious Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in institutionalized individuals and a health professional from a long-term institution in the municipality where the study was conducted. The variables studied were: age, comorbidities, vaccination status, date of symptoms onset, symptoms, occurrence of death, information regarding provided care (hospital care, exams, and medications). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), under opinion number 2.167.287. Case 1 was diagnosed with influenza B, treated with antibiotic therapy, with no antiviral drugs administered, and culminated in death. Cases 2 and 3 were confirmed as influenza B, being treated with antiviral drugs and discharged due to full recovery. Case 4 was confirmed as influenza B virus by epidemiological link, treated with antiviral drugs and discharged due to full recovery. An early diagnosis, adequate clinical management, transmissible disease research based on the 11 health promotion steps and actions can promote the reduction of morbimortality by influenza type B.