Natural course of fever during influenza virus infection in children.

During the 2001-2002 epidemic of influenza virus A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B, the authors obtained detailed profiles of fever from 118 infected children. The only treatment given was acetaminophen for temperatures greater than 39.0 degrees C. Fever was most prominent in A/H3N2 and young children. Secondary fever was observed frequently at 72 to 132 hours in all types. The duration of fever was associated negatively with the age of the child and positively with the maximal temperature. The information will be no longer available in current era of oseltamivir therapy.