A 30-year-old pregnant patient with massive haemoptysis and influenza A: Atypical presentation of a common pathogen. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Philippe; Weber, Florence; Mahone, Michèle
• Is Part Of: Obstetric medicine. Volume 6:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Haemoptysis -- influenza -- pregnancy -- respiratory infection; Pregnancy -- Complications -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1177/1753495X13486636
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-495X

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman presented at 19 weeks of gestation with symptoms of sore throat, rhinorrhea and haemoptysis that progressed to massive haemoptysis. Her medical history included asthma and a history of smoking prior to pregnancy. Investigations revealed no obvious cause of bleeding. Right lower lobe lobectomy was performed, given the suspicion of a lesion within the intermediate bronchus. The patient developed adult respiratory distress syndrome around 36 h postoperatively. Polymerase chain reaction testing on bronchoalveolar lavage samples was positive for influenza A. Therapy with oseltamivir was initiated. She was discharged two weeks later. This is a rare case of a severe complication from seasonal interpandemic influenza during pregnancy, which underscores the importance of immunization for pregnant women.