Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Coinfection and Clinical Characteristics Among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years Who Were Hospitalized or Died with Influenza — United States, 2021–22 Influenza Season

Authors: Katherine Adams, Katie J. Tastad, Stacy Huang, Dawud Ujamaa, Krista Kniss, Charisse N Cummings, Arthur Reingold, Jeremy Roland, Elizabeth Austin, Breanna Kawasaki, James Meek, Kimberly Yousey‐Hindes, Evan J. Anderson, Kyle P. Openo, Libby Reeg, Lauren Leegwater, Melissa McMahon, Erica Bye, Mayvilynne Poblete, Zachary Landis, Nancy Spina, Kerianne Engesser, Nancy M. Bennett, Maria A. Gaitan, Eli Shiltz, Nancy A. Moran, Melissa Sutton, Nasreen Abdullah, William Schaffner, H. Keipp Talbot, Kristen Olsen, Holly Staten, Christopher A. Taylor, Fiona P. Havers, Carrie Reed, Alicia Budd, Shikha Garg, Alissa O’Halloran, Lynnette Brammer - MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2022 cited by 43

To help prevent severe outcomes, clinicians should follow recommended respiratory virus testing algorithms to guide treatment decisions and consider early antiviral treatment initiation for pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed influenza, including those with SARS-CoV-2 coinfection who are hospitalized or at increased risk for severe illness. The public and parents should adopt prevention strategies including considering wearing well-fitted, high-quality masks when respiratory virus circulation is high and staying up-to-date with recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for persons aged ≥6 months.